A law was recently signed into effect by President Bush that bans protests at funerals in national cemeteries, the rule offers no protection for the Tucker family though in Eastern Oregon.
(MADRAS) - The anti-gay hate group from Topeka, Kansas that operates the Website godhatesfags.com, has announced that they will protest the funeral of Pfc Thomas Tucker of Madras, Oregon this weekend and the funeral of Pfc Kristian Menchaca of Houston, Texas, the two soldiers kidnapped and killed recently in Iraq.
The group that hails from the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka is headed by the notorious Pastor Fred Phelps. He claims that American soldiers are dying in Iraq because homosexuality is condoned in American homes.
According to the rumor mill, very little proof of that theory exists in Topeka, Kansas.
The group has been traveling to the funerals of soldiers to stage protests in recent months, using each tragedy to bring attention to themselves, and drawing the ire of citizens nearly everywhere they go. One veteran described their actions as `The single most disrespectful act anyone from a supposedly Christian church has ever attempted. It is no wonder they are getting attacked nearly everywhere they go."
Proof of that is found on the group`s Website. Video clips show them being assaulted as they attempt to leave a soldier`s funeral in a city van, which the angry mob broke the windows out of, as members waved tauntingly back at them.
Both soldiers were with the U.S. Army`s 101st Airborne out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Thomas Tucker`s service will be held Saturday, July 1st at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds Expo Center, 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond, Ore. at 1:00 PM. A private internment will follow at the Mt. Jefferson Memorial Park Cemetery in Madras.
There are unconfirmed reports that the Patriot Guards, a motorcycle group that receives, welcomes and escorts returning soldiers from the war, will be on hand to drown out the sounds of the protestors with their motorcycles. The public is invited to the service.
Related articles on Salem-News.com
Group Claims Responsibility For Kidnapping Two Americans: salem-news.com/articles/june192006/iraq_captors_61906.php
Statement From the Family of PFC Thomas L. Tucker: salem-news.com/articles/june192006/soldier_family_61906.php
Oregon Soldier Missing in Iraq: salem-news.com/articles/june192006/iraq_oregon_soldier_611906.php
Witness: U.S. Troops in Iraq Taken Captive: salem-news.com/articles/june182006/iraq_pow_71806.php
Anti-Gay Hate Group Will Protest Funeral of War Hero Thomas TuckerSalem-News.com