(Updated please scroll down)Evansville Ind. has been preparing to mourn the loss of Private Jonathan Pfender. Mr. Pfender was killed serving in Iraq. The last report I had heard was that his family was awaiting the arrival of his body in Evansville for burial.

FOX59 : Evansville -- An Evansville woman whose son was killed by a bomb in Iraq says she's proud of her son. The Army says 22-year-old Private Jonathan Pfender of Evansville, Indiana, was killed in Bayji, Iraq, during a patrol.

His Father expressed similar pride in an interview on WTVW(sorry no link).

Last night it was brought to my attention that radical group plans to protest this fine you manÂ’s funeral. See this link and make sure you view the entire clip.

WEHT : EVANSVILLE - As the family of a fallen soldier prepares for his funeral, our media partners at the Evansville Courier and Press report the funeral is being targeted by a Kansas based group called the Westboro Baptist Church.

For examples of this groups propaganda see this link and I quote..

Westboro Baptist Church : “God Hates Vets!”

These links do not indicate support, but you have to see it to believe it.

Is it not enough that these people have lost a son? Now these jerks have to “protest a funeral”. Sorry but the proper way to “protest a funeral” is to not go. The proper way to support Mr. Pfender’s family is to respectfully attend. Seems some people just don’t know what rude means any more. What ever happened to “Love your neighbor” or “Do unto others”. If you ask me it’s the members of this group that will be “burning in hell”. Show some respect. I hope Mr. Ellsworth puts you in the old jail about 15 to a cell!

Updated: It's raining like hell on these jerks outside the funeral. Hmm... God's will maybe?.

Update II: Hundreds of supporter stood in the rain in support of Private Pfender and his family, They included Rolling Thunder, Patriotic Guard Riders, VFW, Active Service people and just people. They braved the rain and formed a wall protecting the family from the small number of protestors who were kept to one corner across the street. Supporters also stood watch at the cemetery. In fact the protestors were so outclassed that they left early. Hundreds of bikes showed up to cheers and totally drown them out Apparently the determination of the supporters in the face of wind, Rain and falling temps was far greater than the Westboro Baptist Church's taste for foul weather. They left after a short time. Not one supporter left early. . Said one Patriotic Guard Rider, “It’s all about respect for a fallen comrade”.

WEHT : Pfender's Aunt Vicki Wolf said, "Jonathan would have loved all the veterans the support, forget the protestors this is glory."

Another Family member via Patriotic Guard Riders :

I promised the mother of Pvt. Pfender - she is Peggy Hammond that I would post a quote about her son on our site. I think it's revealing of this young man's character - a true Patriot - It is: "He wanted people to know President Bush didn't come to our door," Hammond said. "He went to his."

Illinois and Indiana are considering laws to make distrubing the peace at a funeral a felony. Indiana at less than 500 ft. ILL less than 300 ft.

Why they got run plumb off! Hell Yeah! Still we grieve for the family and only hope the support can help a bit on a difficut day.

Hat Tip: Dave and the rest of the readers and bloggers who helped fill us/me in on these nuts and those who work against them.

Link to Mudville Gazzette open post.

Posted by: Howie at 10:00 PM | Comments (30) | Add Comment
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