CALIFORNIA, Md. (November 13, 2010)—Westboro Baptist Church has stated plans to protest at the funeral in La Plata and subsequent burial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery for fallen Marine, 19-year-old Lance Cpl. Terry Honeycutt, Jr. on Monday. Honeycutt was from Waldorf. He died October 27 from wounds received October 21 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The Kansas-based church operates the website godhatesfags.com and is known for anti-gay protests at military funerals.
"Perceiving the modern militant homosexual movement to pose a clear and present danger to the survival of America, exposing our nation to the wrath of God as in 1898 B.C. at Sodom and Gomorrah, WBC has conducted 44,518 such demonstrations since June, 1991, at homosexual parades and other events, including funerals of impenitent sodomites (like Matthew Shepard) and over 400 military funerals of troops whom God has killed in Iraq/Afghanistan in righteous judgment against an evil nation," writes the church in the "About Us" section of their website.
The church posted the following notice to picket at Honeycutt's funeral on their website:
WBC to picket the funeral of Lance Cpl. Terry E. Honeycutt, JR. to remind the living that God hates america, He is your enemy, and He is killing your troops in His wrath! When the Lord cuts off the youth of a nation in their prime, it is not a blessing, it is a CURSE!The Patriot Guard Riders, a volunteer group of motorcycle riders whose main mission is to "attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family," has announced plans to attend the service. The Riders typically act as a passive human barrier to shield the family from the protesters.
"Except the Lord build the house, They labor in vain that build it; Except the Lord keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain." Psa. 127:1.
The Lord no longer builds the American house; nor does the Lord watch over and protect America. You have wearied the Lord worshipping your idols and false gods. These soldiers are dying for the sins of doomed america. God is your #1 enemy, and God Himself is fighting against america. Your destruction is imminent! If you have ears to hear - obey today!
The funeral is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Monday at the New Life Church in La Plata. The church is advertising the funeral on their website and is asking for the presence of "as many people as possible" to line the front of the church property and the front grassy area with participants carrying American flags before and after the funeral. They say 500 flags will be provided.
While the New Life Church's website makes no specific mention of protestors from Westboro Baptist Church, they do ask visitors to "maintain dignity and show respect." They also ask visitors not to wear political apparel, bring signs, encounter protestors, or shout slogans.
Nancy Sabater, who identified herself as St. Mary's County Coordinator for Charles Lollar for Congress sent out an email Saturday to an undisclosed list calling for others to attend the funeral to "be there for the family." Lollar, a Charles County resident is also a reservist in the U.S. Marine Corp.
"It is absolutely sick that there are people in our Country who reap the benefits of Patriots such as this young man and then do despicable acts like protesting at his funeral," wrote Sabater. "Stand with me and show unwavering support for him and his family."
Sabater referred to the Westboro Baptist Church as "VILE miscreants" in her email.
The Charles County Sheriff's Office will have a "police presence" at the funeral, according to Diane Richardson, spokesperson for the sheriff. She declined to provide further details.
The United States and Maryland flags will fly at half staff all day Monday in Maryland in honor of Honeycutt, by order of Governor Martin O'Malley.
RELATED INFORMATION:
Obituary for Lance Cpl. Terry Honeycutt, Jr.
Waldorf man, 19, dies after combat in Afghanistan, Washington Post, October 31, 2010
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