Help needed in NWI

[Andy219]

I'm along the funeral route, no WBC here where I am. Not sure where they are, but heard on the scanner they are near. My goal was to block their view from tge family.

 

[Andy219]

Just wanted to follow up with what I experienced today. Hopefully this meets the forum standards. In no way was my intent to confront the WBC. As I believe that was not the intent of anyone attending. My thought process was to shield the family from hate on a day of sorrow and to show my gratitude to the fallen hero. Below is my take on the events of the day as they unfolded for me. It was a very peaceful and somber experience. As the funeral procession went by, not a noise was to be heard. The family members did wave and softly say thank you to bystanders as they went by. My eyes were not dry nor was my throat clear.

Today I discovered that a funeral was being held in my town. An American Hero, by the name of, SPC. Augustus Vicari passed in the line of duty. He was killed by an explosive device while on patrol in Afganistan. I learned of his passing by a friend who called and told me that the WBC was going to be in Cedar Lake to protest the funeral of this young man.

When I arrived at the church the roads were blocked off by local, county and state police. What I seen beyond the blockade, was a sea of Red White and Blue. Hundreds of people of different colors, different creeds and of different communities standing arm to arm, in solidarity. Their only goal was to pay their respects to a fallen American Hero and protect his family from the hurtful bigotry spewed out of the hateful mouths of the so-called Westboro Baptist Church.

I heard on the police scanner that these bigots were in fact there, but the community came together and blocked every and any sign of these, for lack of a better term, morons. Thanks to the community I seen nor heard from any of them. I can with almost certainty say the family did not have to see nor hear from them either.

But when such a message of hate is spread by these people and emotions are at an almost overbearing level. The community comes together and feeds off of each others strength. They enable us as individuals to stand tall and proud. We give each other the strength to ignore the trouble makers.

When we walk away, wipe the tears from our eyes and ask God to give strength to the families. We walk away a better people, a stronger community and a prouder nation. Now part of me likes to think that there's a special place in hell for the members of the WBC, I can't in good faith think that. For I'm in no position to judge, there's only one judge.

As I typed to much all ready, I'll part with this.

SPC. Augustus Vicari, God Bless you and your family. And thank you from the bottom of my heart for paying the ultimate sacrifice to allow me to continue to enjoy my freedoms. May there be a special place in Gods arms for you.

 

[semperfi211]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgEvT9DefNk&feature=mh_lolz&list=FLXGClQjxBKJ8[/ame]

 

[ultraspec]

Just wanted to follow up with what I experienced today. Hopefully this meets the forum standards. In no way was my intent to confront the WBC. As I believe that was not the intent of anyone attending. My thought process was to shield the family from hate on a day of sorrow and to show my gratitude to the fallen hero. Below is my take on the events of the day as they unfolded for me. It was a very peaceful and somber experience. As the funeral procession went by, not a noise was to be heard. The family members did wave and softly say thank you to bystanders as they went by. My eyes were not dry nor was my throat clear.

Today I discovered that a funeral was being held in my town. An American Hero, by the name of, SPC. Augustus Vicari passed in the line of duty. He was killed by an explosive device while on patrol in Afganistan. I learned of his passing by a friend who called and told me that the WBC was going to be in Cedar Lake to protest the funeral of this young man.

When I arrived at the church the roads were blocked off by local, county and state police. What I seen beyond the blockade, was a sea of Red White and Blue. Hundreds of people of different colors, different creeds and of different communities standing arm to arm, in solidarity. Their only goal was to pay their respects to a fallen American Hero and protect his family from the hurtful bigotry spewed out of the hateful mouths of the so-called Westboro Baptist Church.

I heard on the police scanner that these bigots were in fact there, but the community came together and blocked every and any sign of these, for lack of a better term, morons. Thanks to the community I seen nor heard from any of them. I can with almost certainty say the family did not have to see nor hear from them either.

But when such a message of hate is spread by these people and emotions are at an almost overbearing level. The community comes together and feeds off of each others strength. They enable us as individuals to stand tall and proud. We give each other the strength to ignore the trouble makers.

When we walk away, wipe the tears from our eyes and ask God to give strength to the families. We walk away a better people, a stronger community and a prouder nation. Now part of me likes to think that there's a special place in hell for the members of the WBC, I can't in good faith think that. For I'm in no position to judge, there's only one judge.

As I typed to much all ready, I'll part with this.

SPC. Augustus Vicari, God Bless you and your family. And thank you from the bottom of my heart for paying the ultimate sacrifice to allow me to continue to enjoy my freedoms. May there be a special place in Gods arms for you.

Glad to hear this worked out for the family and the fallen. RIP fellow soldier Vicari.


On a side note anyone know what unit he was out of? I used to drill in IN before I transferred to IL to drill

 

[Andy219]

Vicari was part of the Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He was stationed in Afghanistan, but based in Tulsa, Okla. with the Oklahoma National Guard.

 

[jedi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgEvT9DefNk&feature=mh_lolz&list=FLXGClQjxBKJ8

So young...
Reminds me of the marines @ Camp Pendleton, CA that I would tutor and work with. All so young and so eager to take the fight to the enemy.

 

[Leo]

I am so glad to hear that the family of SPC. Vicari was able to have the funeral in peace and honor. Was that sea of red,white and blue bikers? I rode many "missions" with the Patriot Gaurd Riders who were formed to protect the families of fallen servicemen from the westboro weirdos. Almost everyone in the PGR is a combat vet and those who were not have lost family who served. I was in a chapter in Oklahoma and in Texas. I am sure that there is still a chapter in Central Indiana. They have a website. If you bleed red, white and blue and ride a bike, you may be able help on some escorts and honor flag lines.

With the westboro people are lawyers and are skilled at suing anyone who violates there 1st amendment rights. When they insite mob action against them, they video tape for evidence and sue the town police for not properly protecting them. I am really surprised that a 'nam vet who still screams at night from nigthmares about "charlie" torturing him has not gone combat mode on the westboro people.

 

[melensdad]

Terry and I were on the east side of the church, I did not see anyone from the WBC.

Augie was a student of my wife's when he was in high school.

 

[manygunsmike]

GREAT NEWS !!! I was unable to attend physically but SPC. Vicari was in my prayers as was his family . I passed the word about the protesters on to as many friends and family as I could .

The land of the free, Because of the BRAVE !! He will not be forgoten.

manygunsmike

 

[Greatestsin]

I forgot to come back to this thread that day. It was like Andy 219 said, no WBC to be seen. Patriot guard was there in strength, hundreds of people showed up. We lined the drive that the body was being brought up with flags. It was an honor to hold the flag there even though I came away with a sunburn.

 

[beararms1776]

You would think WBC would be peaceful and understanding at the time of any services. Why are they protesting the service anyway?

 

[Greatestsin]

You would think WBC would be peaceful and understanding at the time of any services. Why are they protesting the service anyway?

They are a hateful group that uses moments of emotional turmoil to incite responses that they can sue over.

 

[Hooker]

I love the idea of shielding the family with American Flags!