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