Hate Group to protest NJ Soldiers Funeral

Phelps & Co (0.00 / 0)

I am unfortunately out of pocket on Friday, but I cannot begin to express how much I wish I could spend my Friday afternoon making sure that the Westboro hatemongers can't get anywhere near Bentz's funeral. These people are sick, pathetic scum who don't deserve to so much as share oxygen with those who have sacrificed so much for our country.

Hopefully the Patriot Guard Riders will also be in attendance.

---

by: Scott Shields @ Thu Jun 28, 2007 at 04:10:53 AM UTC

Felps & Co. (4.00 / 2)

Folks: Phred Felps and his inbred band of merry haters rarely show up where they say they will any more -- they just issue press releases 'cause they're really financially incapable of transporting themselves very far from their burrow in Kansas. And law enforcement in NJ has generally responded to threats of a Felps incursion at a military funeral will little love for the would-be protestors. I'll bet that once again nothing happens -- and I would avoid intruding on the family's ceremony even if these heinous bastards do attend -- the police will attend to the matter more effectively and without providing Felps the publicity he craves. I think this is the fifth threat or so he's made to come to NJ; but he never does. I don't wanna say unlax, but I do advise against overreacting -- getting all in a lather gives Felps exactly the power he wants.

---

by: denniscmcgrath @ Thu Jun 28, 2007 at 11:17:25 AM UTC

Phelps may want attention (0.00 / 0)

But what will he and his band of web footed morans do if that attention is a two by four to the face?
I'm not advocating violence, but I'm just speculating. The Reverend Fred Phelps lends credence to Nietzsche's "God is dead" argument.

Restore democracy and the Constitution for which it stands.

---

by: The Wizard @ Thu Jun 28, 2007 at 12:00:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Noting would please Phred Felps more (0.00 / 0)

than a 2 x 4 in the face.

It would prove that he's a true martyr for Xist.

The less said about this moron, the better. Believe it that they get their kicks googling to see what impact they make -- which is why I  misspell their name. If we ignore him, he doesn't go away, but he does diminish in size. If he does show up, you can bet your last buck the local cops will keep him and his as constitutionally far away from the funeral as they can, and probably further.

The lunatic has a right to public speech, which is a good thing, not a bad thing, even if what he is saying is reprehensible beyond words; but overreacting is exactly what he wants to have happen. I'm not even sure where this interrment in taking place, but if one or two of us 'good guys' can just keep an eye on the area and drop the proverbial dime if the wackowagon from Westbro wheels up, an appropriate response could be mounted without otherwise interfering with the family's grief. The local cops aren;t going to view counterprotesters with any more love than they will the Westboro weirdos. But it ain't gonna happen. The Felpsi don't travel much any more.

---

by: denniscmcgrath @ Thu Jun 28, 2007 at 12:44:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Pfc David Bentz (4.00 / 7)

As always, I stand in awe at the sacrifices our soldiers make. What they do, and what they risk for us, is sacred.

What we owe them, for that, is never to deploy them for foolish reasons, the best medical care for whatever they need forever, decent pay, special opportunities to advance in life after their service.

And deepest respect. Nothing we can say here will affect fools that would even think of disrupting a soldier's funeral.

To David Bentz' family, and his brothers and sisters in service, our deepest condolences and gratitude.

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

---

by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Jun 28, 2007 at 12:05:25 PM UTC

Patriot Guard Riders (4.00 / 1)

http://www.patriotgu...

They do not have the Beltz funeral listed as a 'mission' on their website. Apparently, they need to be asked directly by the family so I don't think my request will do much, but I also don't think much needs to be done. I have sent them what little information there was in the "Coming Tomorrow" blurb from the Gloucester Co. Times (or whatever paper that was).

Check out their website. I think these bikers will impress you.

The Fhelps are not only nutcase religionists but successful litigators as well. They know how to protest without violating the law. I hope they're searching between the cushions of the wackjobmobile's seats and not finding any change for gas ... who said $2.75 a gallon gas is a bad thing, anyway?

---

by: denniscmcgrath @ Thu Jun 28, 2007 at 14:18:52 PM UTC

It never hurts to ask ... (4.00 / 1)

The Patriot Guard has the minimal info on the Gloucester Co. funeral tomorrow and will do what they can on such short notice (that was really a total assumption on my part; but they are at least alerting the NJ chapter).

-----Original Message-----
From: PGR Contact [mailto:pgrcontact@ya...]
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2007 10:41 AM
To: Dennis McGrath; Bill Connelly
Subject: Re: Mission request

Dennis,

Thank you for the information.  I'm going to forward this to the NJ State Captain for attention.

Respects,
Scoot

Dennis McGrath wrote:
Sirs:

I am not a member of the fallen soldier's family, but the funeral is tomorrow in Franklin Township, Gloucester County NJ (that's all I know -- and there are 5 Franklin Townships in New Jersey, so be sure to specify that it is in Glocester County). That's all I know. Though I think it highly unlikely the Phelps gang will actually attend a funeral so far from Kansas, it's better to be safe than sorry. Thank you for whatever assistance your fine organization can provide.

Coming Thursday in the Gloucester County Times
Posted by South Jersey News Online June 27, 2007 8:00PM

Those attending Friday's funeral mass for David Bentz, the Army soldier from Franklin Township killed last week in Iraq, will be greeted by protesters from a Kansas-based group opposed to homosexuality. The Westboro Baptist Church has taken to protesting at funerals for servicemen -- not because of their sexual orientation -- but on the belief the country has incurred the wrath of God by accepting homosexuality.

Dennis C. McGrath

---

by: denniscmcgrath @ Thu Jun 28, 2007 at 14:56:51 PM UTC

Heartbreaking (4.00 / 1)

This probably violates the "no extensive quotes" clause, but here from the Camden Courier-Post is a story about Pfc. David Bentz, which I have forwarded to the Patriot Guard. There is detailed information about the time and place of the funeral and the interment at the end of the story. 

Funeral set for Glouco soldier

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

By KRISTI FUNDERBURK
Gannett New Jersey

David J. Bentz III learned how to play cards from his grandmother at age 4. From pinochle to Texas Hold 'Em, his love of the game never faded.

The Clayton resident was scheduled to return home on a two-week leave from Iraq and was hoping to celebrate his 21st birthday with his family and a few poker games in Atlantic City.

Pfc. David J. Bentz came home last Friday. He'll be laid to rest this Friday.

"DJ" Bentz died in Baghdad last Wednesday, just more than a month after he deployed and about a month-and-a-half shy of his expected return date. His biological mother, Lena Butterworth, of Millville, and adoptive mother, Kimberly Geonnotti, of Clayton, still are planning to make that trip and play a few hands in his honor.

"I'm sad he can't see his dreams come true," Butterworth said. "But he'll know he didn't die in vain."

Bentz and three other soldiers -- Maj. Sid W. Brookshire of Missouri, Staff Sgt. Darren P. Hubbell of Georgia and Spc. Joe G. Charfauros Jr. of Mariana Islands -- were killed when an improvised explosive device, or IED, detonated near the vehicle Bentz was driving, the Department of Defense announced Monday. Butterworth said a fifth soldier is in critical condition.

The five soldiers were assigned to 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga.

Butterworth said she wanted to talk with the families of the other fallen soldiers because "we know what they're going through."

"We're still praying for the soldiers over there," she said. "It's not about me. It's about all the military families."

Bentz joined the service last June with designs on becoming a paratrooper. But when he missed the cut, he joined the infantry, Geonnotti said.

"He just wanted to do this. He just wanted to make us proud," she said.

When Bentz deployed, he went first to Germany, then to Kuwait. Geonnotti said Bentz was supposed to be in Kuwait for about a month, but was sent to Iraq after a week. He drove soldiers to clear IEDs and rocket-propelled grenades from alongside roads. Missions would last two weeks, then Bentz would return to Camp Liberty, where he could shower and call home.

Bentz called Geonnotti last Friday just to talk and check in. On Saturday, Geonnotti received a letter the soldier wrote home.

In that letter, Bentz tried to assure his family he would be OK, but he knew "if something does happen it is how I wanted to go out. Fighting for a cause. Freedom of America and for the Iraq people."

Bentz was returned to Dover Air Force Base, in Delaware, last Friday. On Thursday, the same day he will be returned to Clayton, a memorial service is scheduled in Iraq for Bentz and the three other soldiers that died with him.

Geonnotti said the officer who called about the service told her that Bentz was respected, and everyone in his unit was really proud of him.

Pfc. Bentz will be honored with the Bronze Star, awarded for bravery, acts of merit or meritorious service, and the Army Good Conduct Medal, awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity.

When Bentz returns to Clayton, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and local police will honor him at Barclay Funeral Home.

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Church of St. Catherine of Siena, in Clayton. A Mass immediately will follow, and then Bentz will be buried at Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Williamstown.

"A man could be judged by his friends. On Friday, he will have so many friends there," Geonnotti said. "You liked him when you met him."

---

by: denniscmcgrath @ Thu Jun 28, 2007 at 15:08:50 PM UTC

The Patriot Guard has committed to the Bentz funeral (4.00 / 1)

If you visit their website and read the thread, you'll see they were on top of this from the beginning and way ahead of us. An amazing group.

d-

Here's a link to the mission thread:

http://www.patriotgu...

That will contain all the information about staging and times...etc.

Just this past Monday for funeral services in IL, that group announced a protest, filed for permits, and then never showed.

I can tell you this from experience.  When the Patriot Guard Riders are there, it is our goal that the family never lays eyes on them. 

Respects,
Scoot

---

by: denniscmcgrath @ Thu Jun 28, 2007 at 15:16:39 PM UTC

excellent work! (0.00 / 0)

---

by: Scott Weingart @ Thu Jun 28, 2007 at 15:29:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]