Military Funeral Protests

[forHISglory]

This is going to be a very long post..... just warning you in advance that I am quoting a long letter. But it was written by a military person who came to the funeral, and he details what happened. Note that he does not directly reference the WBC, but he does talk about the Patriot Guard and their flags, and the common citizens who shielded the route so that the family could pass in peace and with respect. I highlighted some key passages.

" Sir, My name is Lieutenant C...olonel Bill Kale and I am Staff Sergeant Joseph Hamski's squadron commander. I would appreciate it if you could publish this short thank you note so the citizens of Ottumwa and Iowa can know how grateful we are for all their support. We travelled thousands of miles from Germany to pay our respects to Joe and his family, but were absolutely overwhelmed by the support we received from this community. On 26 May 2011, my squadron received the horrible news of Joe's death in Afghanistan. Joe's death was especially tough for us because his wife Christina is also an Air Force staff sergeant and superstar member of our squadron serving as an engineering assistant. After completing all the family death notifications, it has been absolutely amazing how many acts of kindness we have received to help us get through our mourning of Joe's loss. The first and most significant act of kindness we received was from Joe's mother, Mary Ellen Winston. Her great strength and courage helped us and countless others carry out our duties the past week. On multiple occasions she stated Joe and Christina's Air Force family helped her throughout this ordeal, when in reality it was Mary Ellen encouraging and comforting the Air Force family throughout this period of mourning. Despite her heartbreaking loss, she became an inspiration to me and our squadron. We arrived in Ottumwa on Thursday night and enjoyed a peaceful meal at a small restaurant then a peaceful rest at our hotel. Our great impression of Ottumwa began when we were eating breakfast and saw the front page article on the Ottumwa Courrier about Joe. Most of our Airmen killed in action are usually lucky if they get a small blurb written about them on page 10, but seeing Joe's picture on the front page truly showed us Ottumwa respects our service to our country. We also were very appreciative to find out Governor Branstad ordered American flags at half-staff and would present an American flag flying over the state capitol to Joe's family. While these small acts of respect do not take much effort or time, they are much appreciated and mean a lot to us. When we arrived at Reece Funeral Home to pay our respects to Sergeant Hamski on Friday, we were absolutely awed when we saw about 30 or 40 large American flags being held by members of the Patriot Guard. I shook every one of their hands and did my best to personally thank them, but had a lot of difficulty speaking and saying what I truly meant because my emotions got the best of me. I cannot thank these folks enough for taking time to honor Sergeant Hamski and making the funeral home a patriotic location. After spending several hours at Reece Funeral Home and talking with hundreds of people about Sergeant Hamski's impressive Air Force career, our team needed a breather and spending the evening at the Bridge City Bowl was the perfect solution. The Bridge City Bowl management and staff were extremely kind and accommodating. We appreciated the huge risk they took because they probably never realized how bad Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians are at bowling after drinking a few beers. Bridge City Bowl allowed us to blow off some much needed steam so we could be at our best to honor Sergeant Hamski and his family the next day at his funeral. Saturday morning started off like no other morning in my entire career. I have been in the Air Force for almost sixteen years, commanded two squadrons, led thousands Airmen, spent over three years in combat zones all over the world, and worked on Capitol Hill and the Pentagon, and I have never seen anything like this before. We were absolutely blown away by the number of folks lining the streets with American flags on the way to the St Mary of the Visitation Church. The Church was absolutely beautiful and jammed packed with Joe's family, friends, and comrades. Reverend Bernie Weir consoled and inspired us with his kind words about how most Americans truly appreciate our military service along with our dedication, devotion, and loyalty to our country. Reverend Weir was absolutely correct because we could feel the love from the community both inside and outside of the Church. After the Mass of Resurrection for Sergeant Hamski, the procession to the Ottumwa Cemetery is something I will never forget. The Ottumwa Police and Fire Departments did a wonderful job leading the procession. We noticed the thorough job the Ottumwa Police did protecting the procession route and we were able to drive to the cemetery with ease and dignity. We also noticed how the Fire Department used their ladder truck to hang a huge American Flag over street – we were absolutely honored to drive underneath it and appreciate the efforts they made to make the streets more patriotic. The Patriot Guard once again awed us with numerous flags around the church and cemetery along with 144 motorcycles and 192 riders helping escort Sergeant Hamski to his final resting place - they truly made us feel special and provided much needed patriotism for this event. But what really took my breath away were the hundreds, if not thousands, of citizens lining the streets holding American flags with their hands on their heart while we drove by. I wished I could have walked to the cemetery so I could of hugged each and every one of them to express my gratitude. I also have to thank my brothers and sisters from Offutt Air Force Base for providing a world class honor guard - they were true professionals and provided the upmost respect to Sergeant Hamski. Finally, after the funeral, our team once again needed some time alone to relax. Since we are stationed in Germany, we wanted to enjoy a good old fashioned American dinner so we went to Bogie's Steak House and were completely overwhelmed by their kindness. The owners, Kevin and Toni Walter, truly made our last evening in Iowa very special. We are definitely going to need some extra physical fitness training so our uniform will fit properly after eating such a great meal. The past week has been an emotional roller coaster for the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron and Explosive Ordnance Flight. While losing Sergeant Hamski is an absolute tragedy, I am going to look back at this experience as one of the most positive ones of my Air Force career because of all the kind things folks have done for the Hamskis and my squadron. I cannot say it enough – THANK YOU very much to the citizens of Ottumwa and Iowa for showing your support and appreciation. You have definitely eased our pain and truly honored our brother, Staff Sergeant Joseph Hamski. Very respectfully, Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kale Commander, 52d Civil Engineer Squadron Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany P.S. I attached a copy of the eulogy I read in honor of Staff Sergeant Hamski. I would also appreciate it if you could post this somewhere so folks could read more about this American Hero."

[Missy]

I am glad they weren't able to cause a commotion.

Here the FRG group got together and organised a blockade f sorts to block the WBC's threatened protest. in the end they decided not to protest there after all.

[imagine]

Westboro protests much more then just funerals like high schools churches they stand on the street corner daily in their hometown protesting

I wonder what they would think if one of their family members passed and people showed up to protest something the departed had done or been part of.

I do not know who came up with the idea, but it is obviously a media stunt. They know that it will envoke such anger that itill make the news and some how believe that they will get this message that they have across. I for one could care less for this message. I do however have a real problem with protesting at a funeral where the families should be able to put their loved ones in american sacrid soil so that they will be able honor and remember their spirit.

In all reality the protestors are projecting their hate at people who in most cases did not have anything to do with what they are protesting against so they are punishing innocent people.

I think a law should be passed not letting protests occur on cemetaries and that they can not protest along the funeral route or at the churches while a funeral is in progess. First amendment can let them protest at the bank, carnavel or heck even a wedding or two!!

[zakity]

Yeah, but if you showed up on Sunday morning to attend their services and held up signs about them not being real Christians during the services, well, they might get the message. Actually, probably not...

[imagine]

Yeah, but if you showed up on Sunday morning to attend their services and held up signs about them not being real Christians during the services, well, they might get the message. Actually, probably not...

actually I think it would encourage them as they would feel that the criticism was a validation.

When they protest high schools they tell the children that their parents lie to them and that the city hates them.

[max915]

reminds me too much of the treatment the guys got coming home from vietnam...

[forHISglory]

A final note.... (I think):
Apparently the Patriot Riders and the common citizens, plus big flags covered up the WBC protesters so much, that they gave up and left town before the funeral was even over. YES!

[Daisygirl]

FHG ~ Thank you for sharing that letter. It brought tears to my eyes. A victory for the good guys!