Moni:

I thought everyone in this country had one thing in common, supporting our troops?  That is good PR but is it the truth?  How sad and outrageous that they were justifying their heinous, hateful behavior and total lack of respect for a grieving family by throwing God in the mix.  Those posters, I am heartbroken for that family.  I cannot believe that they had to witness such a thing while burying their family member.  He was someone's son, their child!  And as unnatural and heartbreaking as it is to have to bury your child, you have the images of those posters to remember...at his funeral!  How incredibly HATEFUL!  Who treats another person like that?  Perhaps I too am a bit naive...I am overcome with so many different emotions right now. 

I am glad that there was a bright spot in the day for you, seeing more love than hate in the man with the flag and the crowd that continued to grow around him.  Thank you for sharing.

Monica,

        The ironic part of this story is that this young man had put his life on the line so that people could live in a free society. Freedom of speech and freedom to assemble are only a few freedoms that we as a country have. That fact that brave young men and women die everyday for ours and others rights says it all. I believe the protesters are a product of "brainwashing" and are ignorant. Lets all remember this young man and all others who pay the ultimate sacrifice for us to live each day to the fullest. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

unfortunately there are people out there who use the word of GOD for their own purposes,albiet twisted hatefull reasons.. it saddens me that such people exist in our enlightened and modern times. Luckily, those of us that dont carry such blind hatred far outnumber those kinds of individuals. When we stand together like you did that day, it takes away their "power". My boyfriend is a soldier,and id hope that if anything happened to him while hes fighting for our country, that i never have to come across such negativity and hatred as those people from Kansas have shown.

Monica,

Thanks so very much for sharing this story ... our son is a Marine and proudly serves our country. The townspeoples response to these twisted protesters is one of the most profound examples of what is right with our country . Our town too recently buried a native son ( a fellow Marine ) and the mere threat of this type of " protest " was a major concern . Thank you for sharing a great example where good overshadowed the hate being spewed by these heartless individuals . I haven't been in New Hampshire for many years but your story has inspired me to visit once again . God Bless America and God bless the people of Hampstead !

Frank Vopasek

Monika,

I would like to thank you for the comments of your feelings. I'm a member of the Patriot Guard for NH. While I could not be at this mission, my girlfriend and others were there at invite of the family. They performed famously as expected. I call the Patriot Guard my extended family, because they are just that.

If them being there helped you and the family, then we did our job. We are not there to be a 'counter protester'. We gp were we are invited only, but we all agree that our mission is to the fallen, and their family/friends. We do what is needed to try and help them only. 

Those who have stood for us protecting our rights need for someone to help them when times dictate it. We try to be that help, any way we can.

I'm sorry for the loss of the family, and the town of Hampstead. 

NH PGR.

Monica, Thank you for bringing this to light for others to see. I have another perspective on what the WBC is about. Yes, their leader is Fred Phelps whom I understand was a practicing attorney who was disbarred for unethical behavior I believe. There are something like 11 attorney family members in their group. Although some family members hold down daily jobs I think much of their income comes from lawsuits. If they show up and do their 'show' and it upsets someone into a physical confrontation, they may sue the city for not protecting them. i.e. more money in the coffers. I have experienced their vile and hate for a fallen navy seal in Hood River, Oregon last year. We (PGR) stood in front of them with our backs turned (an extreme biker community insult), while they screamed their hatred in our face. We did not look at them, acknowledge them or talk to them. We stood steady and strong. We revved some motorcycles to drown them out as family and guests arrived. There were also members of the community who stood stong in a show of support. I heard third hand from the family and guests that they did not see nor hear them. I think they (WBC) depend on the shock of others to get into confrontations. As you have experienced, you cannot talk to these people. They are in your face. We as Patriot Guard Riders are invited by the families of our heroes to honor our fallen and show respect and appreciation for them, their families and the communities in which they live. We will attempt to block the view of protestors and work with local law enforcement everywhere we go. We don't talk much about these UG's (uninvited guests). Its all about the sacrifices that our brave military men and women and their families and friends make for our protection and freedoms.

 I'm sorry you and others had to witness this spectacle. I think this man with the flag and the people who stood by him are the example of the silent majority in America.

Rick

Monica, thank you for asking for our website information. I guess I was caught up in the emotion of your topic and neglected to add it to my post. I would like to point out, that although Patriot Guard Riders was started by bikers, anyone can join as long as they agree with our mission statement and are there to show respect. Membership is free. Thank you.

patriotguard.org

You, the town of Hampstead, and the family of Army Captain Jonathan Grassbaugh were exposed to the raw nerve ending of hate that day.  I drove from Southern New England to stand with my fellow PGR members to honor CPT G, not realizing the uninvited guests (UG's) were actually going to be there.  We had members from many states arrive that day, one from Long Island NY.  Coincidently,  one of our star members is from your little town, and played a big part in our participation.  That type of hate will make you want to cry, or start swinging.  I think most folks realize their message is so extreme no one takes them seriously.  Thank you for taking the time to mention it on your blog.  As long as the WBC exists, there will be a PGR to quietly but proudly stand between them and the sanctity of the military funeral.

Monika,

I am a member of the PGR in Virginia Beach, VA. I thankfully have not encountered the "folks" you speak of, but we are here just in case. I have attended 7 "missions" with the PGR, but your story actually brought tears to my eyes. and the pride that swelled within my heart I could not contain.

I was just a child and did not understand any of it during Veitnam. I had a Teenage life to live. But I understand it now. I have lived a very privileged life, because of our military heros.

Patriot Guard Riders, standing for those that stood for us. Because "never again"!! Never again will our military come home to an ungrateful nation.

thank you!

Stacie B

I would like to thank all of the posters and your comments. You are the positive example of the true American patriots. You are the people who represent a caring and compassionate nation. Monica, please don't feel bad about not knowing who we are. We are not an organization that attempts to attract the media so the nation is slowly learning about our organization. We are a humble background group. Our purpose of support, appreciation and comfort to the family, friends and community is all that we concern ourselves with when attending these services. We attend send offs as our troops are leaving, welcome homes, indigenous veterans services who have no family but deserve a dignified service, as well as many other things, some of them being happy times. I have read your and others 'thank you'. I and my fellow members do appreciate that. It reminds me while standing in a flag line, the family, whose heart is feeling such grief will walk our flag line and thank us. To be honest, I just don't know what to say. We are not there to receive thanks, especially from those who are filled with such emotion. We are there to give to others, not to receive. We feel we do not deserve thanks as the sacrifices of our military men and women and their families give so much already. We give nothing compared to what these people give.

As bikerchic said, NEVER AGAIN!

Respects,

Rick

I think the PGR is one of the greatest assets this country has.  People who have such a negative outlook on bikers should really take a look at this group.  I really wish I could have been there that day with you.  i would have loved to see that guy go out there and just stand right in front of them, completely ignoring them and standing proud with with the flag for all to see.  I probably would have been right there by his side.  Any American Holiday is huge in my house.  My kids have known all the words to "God Bless The USA" since they were old enough to talk.  I am a veteran, my husband, my dad, my brother, both my grandfathers, my grandmother, and a large majority of my in-laws.  We are the wrong group to be around with any anti-american activity.  God Bless you for posting this and God Bless all those who stand in support of our american soldiers.

Monika,  please go to this link:

http://www.reflectionsblog.com/emersontribute.htm

It will erase the ugliness you witnessed.  Be sure to have a hanky nearby.

Lisa

Texas Patriot Guard

Thank you all for your support!

                                            Specialist Dempsey

 Anyone interested in some of Fred Phelps' background? I thought so!

Google:  Loving God's Hate, to read an expose of Phelps' and his family, by the Topeka Capitol-Journal, Phelps' hometown newspaper.  Very interesting.

 In the comprehensive expose a few of the many revelations are:  several estranged children openly state they were severely and frequently abused by Phelps;  the details of Phelps' disbarment by the Kansas Supreme Court and the Federal Courts due to repeated unethical conduct;  the electronic harassment of governmental workers that Phelps disliked;  the successful lawsuit brought against Phelps for thousands of dollars owed to a candy vendor.  Phelps forced the children to sell the candy door-to-door, often late into the evening and in bad weather.

Even though several of Phelps's children are attorneys, and despite the expose being on  the Capitol-Journal website for years,  Phelps has never sued the newspaper for libel.

Humhh!!

Dear Monika,

First, let me thank you for providing a forum for expressing myself on this issue.  I spend many hours every day fighting these wicked, wicked people with the best and only weapon I have; words.  You have provided an outlet for that.

Now, let me express my sympathy for the loss your community has suffered.  It is sad a young man died, but you are right,  the young soldier is a hero.  I was going to say "was a hero", but in reality, "is a hero" is more true.  His heroism continues on, even though he is fallen.

You are quite right about something else you wrote.  This is not a debate about a "good" war or a "bad" war, but rather a simple honoring of the ultimate sacrifice having been made.  It should be something that comes naturally to everyone, for or against the war.  Politicians aren't fighting and dying, brave soldiers are: other human beings that are loved and missed by their families.

I  salute him, and I thank you.

Monica,

That was an excellent story you wrote about the hatred you observed! I am a veteran and a fellow PGR member and I have attended 3 missions to date. I was proud of my service to this country, and I am proud of what my fellow PGR members have and continue to do honoring those who have served. I thankfully have never met any of the "UG's" and I will be happy if I never do! I was glad to hear about the man you observed and mentioned in your story. I think he typifies the best of us. He's not trying to get his name in the paper, or his picture on TV, he wasn't violent or even confrontational. He simply did what had to be done, just as any service member is asked to do. He walked up and stood between the innocent and those who would do them harm. So maybe your story wasn't about hate after all. Maybe it was about love and the sacrifices that people we may not even know will make for it!

As I read somewhere in the comments......Never again!

Ted

Monika,

I am a PGR Member who like most attend multi-state missions. I attend missions in Northeast North Carolina and Southeast Virginia. I like most of the members take time off from work. We are not paid for what we do. Respect is what pays me. Being a career military member who served for 24 years in the NAVY, some people I have known personally and others I have not. I believe someone has mentioned that we assisted in welcome home rides as well as send-off missions. We also support those who defend us here stateside as well, from Local Law Enforcement to FireFighters who gave the ultimate sacrifice. As mentioned, we are invited guests of the families.

Reading your blog has made me go through a box of kleenexes. I am proud to be a member. When I read in your post that you finally had the chance to meet Frank, I was so excited and happy. I do not ride a bike, I provide my car (or as they say "cage") for support to carry extra flags or provide refreshments for fellow members. As you can tell by reading through the website, we are diverse. As it states- "you do not have to own a bike or even have served in the military, as long as you show respect".

Thank for this awesome forum that truly has changed from "HATE" to support and respect. Love it.

Alan

P.S. can you send me the next column you write. I wish to share this info.

Dear Mrs. McGillicuddy,

I know how you feel.  Back on the 21st of April, this group was supposed to protest in my home county in Tennessee.  They never showed.  The Patriot Guard was at that funeral to pay respects to the fallen soldier.  It was then when I decided to join their group.  You don't have to have a bike.  There's no membership fee.  You just have to have RESPECT.  Yesterday, I was at the funeral of another Tennessee soldier who was killed in the Middle East.  The protestors didn't show at this one either.  Tennessee has one of the stictest laws in the union about protesting soldiers' funerals.  Westboro hardly ever comes to our state anymore since Public Charter 543 passed in 2006 that says protestors must stay 500 feet away from a funeral service, procession route, and burial site.  That pretty much puts them so far away that they can't be seen.

These people from Westboro Church (I never include the word "Baptist" because they aren't Baptists) are considered a HATE GROUP.  They are under a hatewatch by the Southern Poverty Law Center and are closely monitored by the FBI for hate crimes.  They are absolutely 100% a hate group!  Westboro is comprised mostly of the family of Fred Waldron Phelps, Sr. and his decendents.  It consists of anywhere from 75-100 members and it is a one-and-only church.  There are no other "Westboro" churches anywhere else.  This is why their protest groups are so small.  We have so many soldiers giving their lives for our freedom that they don't have the resources or manpower to protest every funeral across the country.  They even subject their young children to the brainwashing by making them carry these signs and drag our American flag across the ground.

These people come to these funerals to be seen--to shock people, and to incite them to anger.  They are fame-seekers.  They earn their money by suing people who threaten to infringe on their "Freedom of Sppech," "Freedom of the Press," "Freedom of Expression," and their so-called "Freedom of Religion."  Of Fred's 13 children, 11 of them have law degrees--12 if you include Fred himself who is barred from practicing.  The one you'll hear most about is Shirley Phelps-Roper who runs her own firm call Phelps Chartered which is available online and you can even see her mugshot from that site.  3 of the 13 Phelps children left their church and their disfunctional family behind.  I applaud Johnathan, Nathan, and Dortha for breaking away from their family's crusade of hate.

These people have been protesting soldiers' funerals ever since the August 20, 1995 bombing of their church where students from Washburn University in Topeka pipe-bombed them hurting no one and damaging very little.  They claim that ever since "America bombed their church" they were called by God for the deliverance of vegeance for their church by protesting the funerals of soldiers.  From a religious standpoint, they believe in absolute predestination that you are either absolutely predestined to be saved and there's no way to keep from being saved, or you're absolutely predestined to be lost and there's no way to keep from being lost.  They believe that only members of their church are going to Heaven and all the rest of us are going to Hell.  If you ever talk to them, they will always tell you that you're going to Hell.  Don't be offended by it.  Don't cry.  God knows how you are and it is not these people's place to pass judgment on you.  That's God's job.  These people are just plain stupid which is amazing for a family with 12 law degrees.

What I have learned as a member of the Patriot Guard Riders here in Tennessee is that it is affective to treat these people like they don't exist.  If you ever see them again, don't look at them.  Don't talk to them.  Don't even acknowledge them.  They crave attention.  Ignoring them is the greatest insult.

By the way, I would like to take the time to thank you for this blog.  It was very nice.  It was posted on the PGR's website with an article from the UnionLeader.  What you said about the PGR made me teary-eyed.  I thank Capt. Johnathan Grassbaugh for his service and for his sacrifice and send my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.  My heart weeps.  I have yet to attend a military funeral where I didn't cry.  It's very hard to say goodbye and when you see that much outpouring of support for a soldier, it makes you pround to be an American and proud of that soldier.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."--John 15:13

Here is a nice slideshow put to a tune composed and performed by PGR member ALL-4-ONE Wolf called Strangers on Steel Horses.

http://my.break.com/media/view.aspx?ContentID=211992

If it is not clickable please copy and paste the link into your browsers address bar, and turn on your speakers!

Thank you again for your blog - look at the response!!  THAT is awsome!!

John 

 Hello Monika,

I have, unfortunately, seen hate in my day.

The one thing I can't understand about these types of people is how they can profess to be associated with any church.

A friend of mine has a saying, "God only wants the best for his children".

I guess these people are not children of God. So I guess we know who's children they are. God have mercy on their souls.

And God bless all of our fallen heros.

Bob Sasso Hampstead, NH 

Their god isn't God any more, it's money. Their own record and string of lawsuits are proof enough. And, believe me, money IS there.

While we would, of course, rather have had my son back, my family received around 400 large between the SGLI and other stipends from the govt. and military when he was KIA. The WBC wants that money.

These people are 'lost sheep' and need our prayers. God loves the sinners and despises sin. I know it's hard, but we must pray for and forgive them. How else can we be forgiven?

Okay, i'm ready for any flak as I've 'set my face like flint'.  :^)

(I DO have a sense of humor, too.)