ANOTHER MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER LAID TO REST TODAY
As I watched the 10:00 p.m. news last night, something caught my attention. Scrolling across the bottom of my screen was “FUNERAL PROTESTERS”. The Westboro Baptist Church was coming to the funeral of Sgt. 1st Class Christopher L. Robinson,who was killed while serving his country in Afghanistan, Saturday, March 25, 2006.
My first reaction was to call SSM and see if she could give me some advice. Thanks so much SSM. Don’t know what I would have done if it weren’t for your wonderful advice.
The Funeral was today at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Madison, MS. I arrived in Madison shortly after noon, and I could not believe what I saw. The Patriotic Guard Riders were there. Some came from as far away as North Carolina to make sure that the Westboro Protesters did not get anywhere near this soldiers family. What an awesome group. I walked up and ask if I could join them, and was immediately handed a flag.
This is one awesome group.
I can not remember how many military personnel along with family members walked down that street and shook every single person’s hand and thanked each of us for our support. I overheard a Sergeant Major saying that he has never been so proud of the people in the State of Mississippi as he was at that moment.
Mississippi’s Adjutant General Harold A. Cross also attended the funeral.
There were law enforcement officers from all across the state of Mississippi, and even saw a few from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The streets were lined with people everywhere as we left the church and made our way to the interstate. Interstate 55 was shut down for approximately 15 minutes as the funeral procession made its way to the Natchez Trace Exit.
The Patriotic Guard Riders lead the procession, so that we could get to the cemetery with our flags before the family arrived. I looked back once we all had all gotten on the interstate and all I could see was motorcycles and police lights. We apparently accomplished what we set out to do, which was to shield the Westboro Protesters.
The sun was hot and my feet were hurting by the time it was all over, but it was worth it to make sure that the protesters were not able to get close to the family.
I learned a lot about the Patriotic Guard Riders today. I met the Mississippi State Captain, Ed Baker, and was told that I did not have to have a motorcycle to join their organization.
These guys and gals sure have their hearts in the right place. They travel many many miles to attend fallen soldiers funerals all across the USA. Their website was temporarly down this week due to so many hits, and they say that they have been averaging about 700 new members a day.
Sorry for such a long post, but wanted to share my day with you all. I was very nervous about going to this funeral, but the minute I saw all those flags flying, I knew that I was in the right place and that I had made the right decision.
As I am pulling up my driveway from my long day, this is what I see.
My first reaction was to call SSM and see if she could give me some advice. Thanks so much SSM. Don’t know what I would have done if it weren’t for your wonderful advice.
The Funeral was today at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Madison, MS. I arrived in Madison shortly after noon, and I could not believe what I saw. The Patriotic Guard Riders were there. Some came from as far away as North Carolina to make sure that the Westboro Protesters did not get anywhere near this soldiers family. What an awesome group. I walked up and ask if I could join them, and was immediately handed a flag.
This is one awesome group.
I can not remember how many military personnel along with family members walked down that street and shook every single person’s hand and thanked each of us for our support. I overheard a Sergeant Major saying that he has never been so proud of the people in the State of Mississippi as he was at that moment.
Mississippi’s Adjutant General Harold A. Cross also attended the funeral.
There were law enforcement officers from all across the state of Mississippi, and even saw a few from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The streets were lined with people everywhere as we left the church and made our way to the interstate. Interstate 55 was shut down for approximately 15 minutes as the funeral procession made its way to the Natchez Trace Exit.
The Patriotic Guard Riders lead the procession, so that we could get to the cemetery with our flags before the family arrived. I looked back once we all had all gotten on the interstate and all I could see was motorcycles and police lights. We apparently accomplished what we set out to do, which was to shield the Westboro Protesters.
The sun was hot and my feet were hurting by the time it was all over, but it was worth it to make sure that the protesters were not able to get close to the family.
I learned a lot about the Patriotic Guard Riders today. I met the Mississippi State Captain, Ed Baker, and was told that I did not have to have a motorcycle to join their organization.
These guys and gals sure have their hearts in the right place. They travel many many miles to attend fallen soldiers funerals all across the USA. Their website was temporarly down this week due to so many hits, and they say that they have been averaging about 700 new members a day.
Sorry for such a long post, but wanted to share my day with you all. I was very nervous about going to this funeral, but the minute I saw all those flags flying, I knew that I was in the right place and that I had made the right decision.
As I am pulling up my driveway from my long day, this is what I see.
One Smiling Soldier.
A part of me felt a little guilty about being able to hop right out of my car to snap this picture, when there is a family in Brandon, MS tonight that won't be able to snap a picture of their soldier.
Thanks for letting me share my day with you.
14 comments:
Very awesome post, and a great group of people.
Thanks for helping that family understand their loss is appreciated.
You go girl. You are one awesome mom!
Stacy, the fact that you still take the time to reach out to those in need & to those who have lost what you so readily recognize you still have makes me proud to count you among my friends. Lots of people in times like these agonize over loved ones in harm's way, but try to "put it behind them" when their loved ones come home. Thank you for being among those who recognize the importance of helping others along their journey, wherever it leads them.
S -- it was all you, girl! I am so proud of you and all those that came to show that Westboro is NOT what America or Americans are about. Thank you for sharing this experience with me and with your friends. {{{{HUGS}}}}
Carla (Some Soldier's Mom)
SOOOOOOO proud of you!
Wow, great story and wonderful pictures. I've read about the Patriotic Guard Riders on other blogs and have been so proud to call them my countrymen. They truly depict the real American spirit. God bless them all...and you...for what you do.
Stacy, I too am proud to call you my friend. And "best" does not even come close to describing our friendship. I am proud of you for all you do to help others in their time of need. I Love You. Carol
Excellent! This is exactly how we should be countering those misguided fools from Westboro Baptist. Drowning out their rhetoric with our speech!
Good Job!
Thanks doesn't cover it, but its all this ol' grunt can give you. But I did send the Patriotic Riders a donation last year.
Their nationwide group is something that no Nation other than our great Nation could have produced.
Thank God for our Nation and its wonderful people,
like YOU.
Papa Ray
West Texas
USA
Thanks so much for sharing this with everyone -- I just came across your blog for the first time and it is wonderful. Thanks so much for all you share, take care!
Here in Missouri, our governor made it illegal to protest at funerals. I think this was excellent. It saddens me that we have a need for people like this group who showed up to protect this funeral, but it is so amazing that we have people like you and this group. Thank you! Amazing pictures.
Thanks so much Psalm 91 girl. The one day that I don't read the paper.
Happy Easter Stacy
thank you. This was wonderful. I'm sorry that I haven't seen it until now. I was with chris when he was killed and his family has grieved terribly. Without peoplelike you it would have been even harder. The funeral was absolutely amazing. Again, thanks to you, the patriot riders and all others involved.
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