A threat last Friday, April 15, from the Westboro Baptist church had the public rallying together for one good cause.
20 year-old soldier, Gary Lee Nelson III, lost his life doing what he loved best-defending this great country we call America. However, activists from the Westboro Baptist Church, who are known for protesting funerals of fallen soldiers, wrote on their website that they would be attending the funeral and picketing out in the streets. The funeral was held in Woodstock, GA - my hometown. I was shocked to hear that the Westboro protestors made it to Georgia all the way from Kansas. Citizens of the Woodstock community were asked to show support and block the streets from these activists. The outpouring of people was overwhelming and brought tears to my eyes. It shows just what Gary Lee Nelson fought for and proves his life was not taken in vain.
I don’t think the Phelps family, of the Westboro Baptist Church, expected over 1,000 people to line the streets to show their respect for the fall soldier and keep the Phelps’ away. Westboro never actually showed up; but with the flood of angry Georgians, it was best that they stayed away. It’s the soldiers like Gary that fight for our freedom of speech and give the Westboro activists the right to protest when and where they want. Show some respect Westboro, and let these families grieve in peace. If this was your family, you’d expect the same.
I would also like to add a sidenote: WBC travels the country constantly because they obviously don't have anything better to do.
Canton road block for soldier Gary Lee Neslon III
