From the Kansas City Star: A salute, a shield to honor sacrifice
Patriot Guard members block a protest group’s hate with motorcycles, flags and their respect.
In minutes, the funeral of the slain American soldier would begin. And so would the protests.
Lining both sides of the street in front of Leavenworth High School were 180-plus members of the Patriot Guard, holding American flags, trying to create a human shield around the family of Army Cpl. David M. Unger, who was killed in Iraq Oct. 18.
Nearby were a half-dozen or so protesters from Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, holding signs and shouting that God hated America and the military, and berating anyone for grieving over any soldier’s death.
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They are simple gestures, but the results are felt deeply by soldiers’ families.
“They are angels. … I think they are the best people I’ve ever met,” said Jerry Cole, whose son, Army Cpl. Jeremiah S. Cole of Hiawatha, Kan., was killed Aug. 16 in Afghanistan.
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Surprisingly, members of Phelps’ group are some of the guard’s biggest supporters. They say the guard garners more publicity for them than they could generate themselves.
“It’s wonderful to have them (the Patriot Guard) because they’ve amplified our message more than we could have done by ourselves,” said Tim Phelps, a member of the Topeka church. “They come out to these dead-body worshipping funerals and throw a big bawling fit with their motorcycles. We yell and sing.”
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