Good: 1, Evil: 0

Today, the good guys won. Thousands of people showed up to counter-protest against Westboro Baptist Church's planned protest at the funeral of a Marine who was from here. We brought everything we could... flags, signs, even tarps to block them from view. A few Patriot Guard riders showed up, too. They say they came mostly from Albuquerque (4 hours from here!) but at least one was from Iowa (like 24 hours from here!). They came out to escort this Marine home, and to safeguard his family from protesters who wanted to cast negativity on what he stood up for. Believe in the war or don't, but you've got to support the troops. The fact is, this Marine died doing what our country needed him to do, and the only right answer, when we heard that Westboro was going to protest at his funeral, was to show up to let his family know that we're on their side.

Orren and Chai were troopers, major little activists in the making. Orren helped hold a sign for a little while, and cheered for the Patriot Guard riders when they came by. He stood silently as the hearse carrying the Marine himself, and the limo carrying his parents, children, and fiancee passed us. It was very sad, of course, but I'm glad we were there to show this family that people care enough to make sure the Westboro losers couldn't even get near them.

Prior to the family's arrival at St. Mark's, rumors were swirling that Westboro had decided not to show up, that it was a hoax. None of us cared, really. Showing support for the family of this fallen Marine was just as important as blocking out the Westboro fools. They did show up, though. They assembled at a park a block or so away from the church, and when they saw how many of us there were, they ran. Then we found out they were trying to get into the cemetery to protest graveside. We said hell no to that! We all convoyed across town to Ft. Bliss National Cemetery, and blocked the gates. We let only the Patriot Guard and the family and guests through our blockade. Westboro, once again, caught sight of what we had done, and didn't even stop.

Today, the good guys won. Here are some pictures.

Me and my little boys outside St. Mark's with our signs for the Westboro Baptist Church idiots.


The crowd starting to form at St. Mark's about an hour prior to the Marine's funeral.


Word was that Westboro was planning on protesting across the street, so people occupied the median with flags and tarps to block the view.


After we left the church, we went to the cemetery, and assembled at the gates to make sure WBC couldn't get in.


The Patriot Guard Riders escorted the family in.