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RangerG
Bounty Hunter
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Joined: 13 Mar 2003
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 Posted: 10/01/06 - 09:56 Post subject: A small comment about the current war.
Saturday I had the very sad duty of attending the funeral and interment of Sgt. Jennifer M. Hartman, 21, of New Ringgold, Pa.
The PGR stood guard both at the funeral home, and then rode close escort for the 40 miles to the cemetery to stand at the interment. . The parents of Lance Corporal Conboy also rode this mission, only a couple of months after the loss of their own son.
I estimate the PGR Riders at well over 100 from 6 States, numerous fire fighters with their trucks from 4 surrounding communities, and one of the largest forces of local and State Police I have ever seen at a funeral mission. They all appeared to be in no mood for protesters, and had the State Law mandated 500 yard checkpoints on either side of the funeral home. The funeral director had leased all the surrounding land for nearly a mile in every direction for $1.00 from the local farmers. Any protesters would have been trespassing and subject to arrest
This was the most gut wrenching funeral mission I have attended yet. The parents were beyond distraught and Mother, Father, Brother and Grandfather had to be assisted by Army staff members the entire time. I don’t think there was a dry eye in our line.
All the members of the Military funeral detail were volunteers, they to a man and woman, asked for this duty. The bugler almost could not finish taps due to the tears running down her face....the last few notes were noticeably jagged.
At the end, the family members each kissed the urn...the father losing control of his emotions and sobbing uncontrollably.
This was my 6th funeral mission, and on the two hour ride home, I had time to reflect as the light rain speckled my face shield…Never again will a fallen soldier be welcomed home by protesters and vile comments. Never again will soldiers come home to jeers and spitting...signs of "baby killers". Never again will those who put themselves in harms way, be they soldiers, fire fighters, police or vets not have the proper respect shown them when they go to their final resting place.
Regardless of Government politics, these people protect our nation from inside and out...they should never be the subject of political posturing, arguments or the justification for the current conflict…and to that end, I would appreciate it much if folks would not use this thread for that purpose.
Thank you for your service Jennifer, and welcome home. May you Rest in Peace on Sacred Ground.
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GaRebelRunner
Member
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Joined: 26 Sep 2003
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Location: Tucker, GA
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Posted: 10/01/06 - 12:33 Post subject:
Good job Ranger. Deepest sympathies to Sgt. Hartman and Lance Corporal Conboy's parents, relatives and friends.
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Gogirlgo
Member
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Joined: 25 Jul 2002
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Location: No deal, stalker.
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Posted: 10/01/06 - 14:18 Post subject:
I can't consider what Phelps & Company do to be any sort of legitimate protest. It's opportunism, and the worst insensitive opportunism at that.
I don't think anyone on any side who argues about the war or its value has anything but the highest concern for the people actually fighting it.
I feel very pleased that there are people like those in PGR who see it as an important enough thing to do that they stop what they're doing, and come out and protect. I think that in itself speaks volumes.
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robp
Pyromaniac
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Location: Waiting in line at the beer store...
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Posted: 10/01/06 - 15:14 Post subject:
| Gogirlgo wrote: | I can't consider what Phelps & Company do to be any sort of legitimate protest. It's opportunism, and the worst insensitive opportunism at that.
I don't think anyone on any side who argues about the war or its value has anything but the highest concern for the people actually fighting it.
I feel very pleased that there are people like those in PGR who see it as an important enough thing to do that they stop what they're doing, and come out and protect. I think that in itself speaks volumes. |
I agree with you 100%.
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andydp
Member
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Joined: 23 Sep 2003
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Location: Upstate NY near Albany
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Posted: 10/01/06 - 15:52 Post subject:
| robp wrote: | | Gogirlgo wrote: | I can't consider what Phelps & Company do to be any sort of legitimate protest. It's opportunism, and the worst insensitive opportunism at that.
I don't think anyone on any side who argues about the war or its value has anything but the highest concern for the people actually fighting it.
I feel very pleased that there are people like those in PGR who see it as an important enough thing to do that they stop what they're doing, and come out and protect. I think that in itself speaks volumes. |
I agree with you 100%. |
Ranger, I can't add to GGG or Rob's comments. Thanks for what you and the riders do and thank you to the brave ones in harm's way.
I was very moved by your story.
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airehead
Oompa Loofah
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Location: Between here and eternity...
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Posted: 10/01/06 - 19:09 Post subject:
Thank you, Jennifer, for paying the ultimate price. 
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Posted: 10/01/06 - 20:40 Post subject:
| robp wrote: | | Gogirlgo wrote: | I can't consider what Phelps & Company do to be any sort of legitimate protest. It's opportunism, and the worst insensitive opportunism at that.
I don't think anyone on any side who argues about the war or its value has anything but the highest concern for the people actually fighting it.
I feel very pleased that there are people like those in PGR who see it as an important enough thing to do that they stop what they're doing, and come out and protect. I think that in itself speaks volumes. |
I agree with you 100%. |
 so do I
thank you Ranger, for being there for that family and others. i simply can not imagine their grief.
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Cappy
Excelent
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Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 10/02/06 - 04:41 Post subject:
| rolling rock wrote: | | robp wrote: | | Gogirlgo wrote: | I can't consider what Phelps & Company do to be any sort of legitimate protest. It's opportunism, and the worst insensitive opportunism at that.
I don't think anyone on any side who argues about the war or its value has anything but the highest concern for the people actually fighting it.
I feel very pleased that there are people like those in PGR who see it as an important enough thing to do that they stop what they're doing, and come out and protect. I think that in itself speaks volumes. |
I agree with you 100%. |
so do I
thank you Ranger, for being there for that family and others. i simply can not imagine their grief. |
I agree too. Thanks to you Ranger and the rest of the Patriot Guard, for being there
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Floridaboiler
POTFH
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Joined: 18 May 2002
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Posted: 10/02/06 - 05:40 Post subject:
There have been one or 2 locals that have died in Iraq and so far I have not heard of any of protests at the funerals. Thank Goodness. Those young men and women volunteered to protect us and we need to say thank you to them as much as we can.
Thanks Ranger for stepping up and helping to keep the protesters at respectable distance.
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copteacher
Adjunct
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Joined: 08 Jun 2002
Posts: 20588
Location: Teaching in the Halls of Justice
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Posted: 10/02/06 - 09:27 Post subject:
Military funerals as sad as an event they are, are really done right.
Well done G.
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j1miller
Puppy Love!
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Joined: 07 Jul 2002
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Location: Lost on trail.
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Posted: 10/02/06 - 10:00 Post subject:
Thank you Jennifer and Ranger and other PGRs.
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wanttorun100
Member
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Posted: 10/02/06 - 10:28 Post subject:
I still say a few live rounds issued to the color guard would put you guys out of business - maybe followed by a bayonette charge
think of it as Chlorine for the gene pool
I also wonder if deep behind WBC is some wacko gay group
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RangerG
Bounty Hunter
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Joined: 13 Mar 2003
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Posted: 10/04/06 - 18:51 Post subject:
| wanttorun100 wrote: | I still say a few live rounds issued to the color guard would put you guys out of business - maybe followed by a bayonette charge
think of it as Chlorine for the gene pool
I also wonder if deep behind WBC is some wacko gay group |
And that would give the WBC just what they want...an excuse to sue the PGR out of existance. Remember most of the WBC members are lawyers..tho some are disbared.
No matter who attacked them, the military guard, the PGR and the soldiers family would all be sued by the WBC, and in this day and age..would probably win as it was they who were attacked..no matter the pain and vile comments they had made/caused.
Nothing is harder than to stand grim faced and keep one's mind on the task at hand - Honor the Fallen and support the family, even when the protesters are calling you every vile name in the book. It's called self control.
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Pug
The Movie Geek
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Posted: 10/07/06 - 15:22 Post subject:
| RangerG wrote: | | wanttorun100 wrote: | I still say a few live rounds issued to the color guard would put you guys out of business - maybe followed by a bayonette charge
think of it as Chlorine for the gene pool
I also wonder if deep behind WBC is some wacko gay group |
And that would give the WBC just what they want...an excuse to sue the PGR out of existance. Remember most of the WBC members are lawyers..tho some are disbared.
No matter who attacked them, the military guard, the PGR and the soldiers family would all be sued by the WBC, and in this day and age..would probably win as it was they who were attacked..no matter the pain and vile comments they had made/caused.
Nothing is harder than to stand grim faced and keep one's mind on the task at hand - Honor the Fallen and support the family, even when the protesters are calling you every vile name in the book. It's called self control. |
I just don't understand...I mean, I know what you're saying and what the situation is, I just don't understand the protesting side.
Besides being in incredibly bad taste, what does it accomplish? What good comes of it for the protestors?
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RangerG
Bounty Hunter
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Posted: 10/07/06 - 18:27 Post subject:
| Pug wrote: | | RangerG wrote: | | wanttorun100 wrote: | I still say a few live rounds issued to the color guard would put you guys out of business - maybe followed by a bayonette charge
think of it as Chlorine for the gene pool
I also wonder if deep behind WBC is some wacko gay group |
And that would give the WBC just what they want...an excuse to sue the PGR out of existance. Remember most of the WBC members are lawyers..tho some are disbared.
No matter who attacked them, the military guard, the PGR and the soldiers family would all be sued by the WBC, and in this day and age..would probably win as it was they who were attacked..no matter the pain and vile comments they had made/caused.
Nothing is harder than to stand grim faced and keep one's mind on the task at hand - Honor the Fallen and support the family, even when the protesters are calling you every vile name in the book. It's called self control. |
I just don't understand...I mean, I know what you're saying and what the situation is, I just don't understand the protesting side.
Besides being in incredibly bad taste, what does it accomplish? What good comes of it for the protestors? |
Well, I resisted doing this but...
Check out their website and you will get the idea...
www.godhatesfags.com
They think their protesting and website will convert folks over to their way of thinking. They see it as every other religion and all governments are wrong, and the WBC is right.
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