Oregon Comes Out In Support of Hood River Family (UPDATE)

Salem-News.com's Tim King has returned from the funeral in Hood River where the Westboro Church did show this time. The video is under production, including Tim's confrontational interview with Margie Phelps who is the hate group's spokesman. Look for the video sometime late Saturday or early Sunday Pacific time.

(HOOD RIVER) - Oregon residents turned out en masse in Hood River today to drown out a hate group that did their best to disrupt the funeral of an Oregon Navy SEAL who was killed recently in Iraq.

The August 2nd 2006 death of 28-year old Marc Lee was the first suffered in Iraq by the Navy’s elite commando force.

The Westboro Baptist Church out of Topeka, Kansas, had also announced plans to attend the recent funeral and memorial service for Private First Class Thomas Tucker of Madras, Oregon, but were a NO SHOW after the public learned of their plans.

Tim King documented the events surrounding the funeral in Hood River, and will produce full video reports that will be posted late Saturday or early Sunday.

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Albert Marnell August 29, 2006 4:08 pm (Pacific time)

Thanks Tim for all your hard work and the rest of your staff and Bonnie. You are doing great things with Salem-News.com. Just make sure that you get some rest once in a while. It is hard being a 24/7 person. Take care of yourself so that you can keep going. Remember, in the end you have to come first in a very primitive self preserving way. You deserve a break!

Kelli August 29, 2006 10:49 am (Pacific time)

I am the wife of a soldier currently deployed to Iraq. I feel for all of the families who have lost a loved one. GOD BLESS MARC LEE AND ALL OF THE TROOPS!! You know what I find funny about these nut jobs, they call the troops fag enablers and they are so full of hate, yet they have no problem taking the gift of freedom of speech and the right to protest that the soldiers give each and everyone of us. It seems a bit strange to me to accept a gift from someone you feel so strongly about hypocritical in away.

Debbie Lee, Marc's Mother August 28, 2006 8:47 am (Pacific time)

Thank you Patriot Guard for your love and support. I never saw or heard any of the protestors and I am so grateful. Its uncomprehensible that these wacko's would be so harsh, uncaring and insensitive. My son died fighting for their right to protest, you think they would be grateful! I had the same idea one of his teammates had, take your protest to the heart of the war, Ramadi! What they have done on their web site and in their actions, crosses the line of the freedom my son and so many others provided to them. There actions are so far from Christ's example, and they call themselves "Christians." Christ says you will know their actions by there fruits. Fruit???? Fruitcakes no doubt. Thank you to all who attended to honor Marc and support our family we are so grateful and overwhelmed by everyone's out pouring!!! Please continue to honor Marc and pray for his teammates, their families and all of our military who sacrifices everyday to porvide us freedom in this great country we live in. I love you Marc and am so proud of you. You are so deeply missed! Until we meet again!

The Editor August 27, 2006 12:38 pm (Pacific time)

Margie Phelps, you seem to assume that we don't screen each post at Salem-News.com but we do. The comment you attempted to leave is obsene from the word go, and this is not a place to launch attacks on us, while we will report anything we see fit when it comes to you. I always said that there aren't two legitimate points of view at a nazi rally, and the same goes for you and your rag tag bunch of ill-guided zealots. I don't mind the insults Ms Phelps, my skin is very thick. Please get beyond the obsene side of your writings and I will post your comment, but in the meanwhile I have your words recorded and we will publish your bent thinking at any point we wish. Feel free, fill our ammo bin with your rantings so we can put them into a real context.

Jake August 27, 2006 9:32 am (Pacific time)

Hey when can we see the updated video with that crazy woman! I''ve been waiting all night to hear about the residents of Oregon taking a stand against psychos like them.

RJ August 27, 2006 7:48 am (Pacific time)

Tim: I am grateful that Salem-News has continued to provide us with coverage of this issue. I am looking forward to your news video. To the Soldiers, Police and concerned citizens that were there to help protect and shield the family and friends of Marc Lee from these protestors-A HEARTY THANK YOU. To the protesters-Stay home and leave us alone!!

R.Eliot August 27, 2006 4:56 am (Pacific time)

Just how bad was the protest, and how did the PGR and police handle it? I wish I could have been there to support Marc -- a true hero.

Justin August 27, 2006 4:05 am (Pacific time)

Thank you to the people of hood river who came to support Marc. As a solder who served with Marc I am sickened by the fact that a group would exploit his memory in this way. That type of ignorance and hatred is what Marc was fighting against.

Abstracts August 27, 2006 1:42 am (Pacific time)

The people from Westboro Baptist hurt many people and could even bring a vulnerable person into despair and hurting or killing themselves. Rachel Lea Soto was mixed up, far gone and disturbed. She did not kill anyone. These people can kill with their hate and who knows what they do when no one is looking. This is not freedom of speech it is insane treason. If anyone came near the burial of a loved one of mine and pulled this crap.

GRIZZ-ICVMC August 27, 2006 12:42 am (Pacific time)

I want to thank everyone for showing both restraint against the protesters, and respect for the family and friends of P.O.2 Marc Lee today. If I posted what I really felt about the protesters, it could possibly get me in trouble. Yes they have the freedom to protest, but there is a time and a place...THIS WAS NEITHER THE TIME OR THE PLACE. Was happy to see that when we came out of the Hood River Expo Building, that the Hood River Police Dept. had escorted them to the freeway. GRIZZ-ICVMC PGR Ride Captain

Marc's Platoon Mate August 26, 2006 10:56 pm (Pacific time)

First of all I would like to thank the PGR for attending, your presence is appreciated more than you know. I would also like to thank the 5 individuals present for the purpose of protest.Passionate yet misguided, you yet again validate the statement that "freedom isn't free"(isn't it amazing how motivated people can be when they are both well fed and not under fire...!) There's no need to thank Marc and the rest of his boys, your actions are proof enough that our efforts to defend civil liberties/freedom is working. If you would like, an arrangement can be made to protest at Michigan BLVD, in RAMADI, Iraq.(I'm sure they would very much appreciate your cause...)

Marc Lee's Seal Platoon August 26, 2006 10:40 pm (Pacific time)

First of all REST IN PEACE MARC, WE'LL NEVER FORGET YOU. I want to thank the PGR for attending Marc's service, you guys are appreciated more then you realize. I would like to also thank the 5 protestors for exercizing their right to protest.

SEAL Teamates (San Diego) August 26, 2006 10:23 pm (Pacific time)

We want to sincerely thank the PGR for their efforts in keeping the "ignorant" and "unappreciative" at bay. Your efforts will forever be appreciated by a greatful nation, SEAL Team(s), and most of all, Marc's family. Thank you for helping to respect Marc's right to defend the rights of those morons! And many thanks to the Hood River residents for supporting both Marc's family and honoring his legacy. As Marc's SEAL teamates, we want to extend an invitation to all of Marc's protestors to come to San Diego and help you learn to appreciate the freedom(s) and liberties given to you because of heros like Marc.. We will be more than happy to be entertained by your idiocy..!

Epicwoman Patriot Guard Ride August 26, 2006 8:58 pm (Pacific time)

Patriot Guard Riders and many others came to Hood River to honor a true American hero, Marc Lee. His name and courage should be held as an example of love of God, Country and his fellow man. May his family and all who loved him find comfort knowing that his goodness is a light on a standard that never will be extinguished. He gave his life to save others. I choose to turn my back to evil and celebrate his life. God Bless you Marc Lee.

Q Madp August 26, 2006 8:19 pm (Pacific time)

The Patriot Guard Riders did a great job shielding the families from those morons. Thank You PGR!!! Q www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Dave August 26, 2006 8:16 pm (Pacific time)

I am on of the Soldiers that was there. The protesters came out in force, a force of 5 LOL

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