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Protest planned at Idaho Run for the Fallen
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May 24, 2012 |
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Several Gold
Star Families took part in last year's
Idaho Run for the Fallen, and even more
are expected this year in Pocatello. |
Members of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church,
Topeka, Kansas, plan to picket the second
Idaho Run for the Fallen, a
four-day event that begins tomorrow in
Pocatello, but organizers, including Jessica
Tingley, Bonners Ferry, who was instrumental in
bringing the first Idaho Run for the Fallen to
Boundary County last year, believe the
protesters may just as well be passing gas in a
Kansas whirlwind.
"My understanding is that WBC protesters will be
gathering as near to the property as they are
allowed," Jessica said. "The Patriot Guard
Riders will be there basically forming a shield
around the gathering areas, and the police have
been notified and will be there to ensure that
everyone behaves."
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The Patriot
Riders taking part in the 2011 Idaho Run
for the Fallen in Bonners Ferry. |
Members of the
Patriot
Guard Riders, a national group of
motorcyclists dedicated to show their respect to
those who've fallen in the line of duty while
serving our nation by shielding those who mourn
our lost soldiers from anyone who would
interrupt or protest services or ceremonies,
were in Bonners Ferry last year to escort Run
for the Fallen participants and to participate
themselves.
"As many people are aware, the PGR takes very
seriously the task of protecting the families
from Westboro Baptist Church and any group that
shows disrespect to fallen heroes or veterans,"
Jessica said. "They are the first and best line
of defense and we deeply appreciate them
volunteering their time to stand guard and hold
fast the line."
Run for the Fallen events take place across the
nation each year, recognizing and remembering
the soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen who
laid their lives on the altar of freedom since
the Twin Towers bombing and the attack on the
Pentagon.
Tingley and her mother, Bernadette Kirk-Bonner,
took part in several events around the country
before bringing the first event to Idaho last
August in remembrance of son and brother
Sergeant Joshua Kirk, who gave his life October
3, 2009, while serving with the Army's Fourth
Infantry Division in Afghanistan. To read more
about that event,
click here.
This year's run is expected to draw more than
the 200 participants last year, in spite of the
planned protest, which they plan to ignore.
"I've talked to a number of Gold Star
families who will attend as well as a few other
participants and I think the general consensus
is to ignore them," Jessica said. "That seems to
be the best way to shut them down.So if regular
people want to show up at any of the events,
their presence alone is a huge show of support
... I was talking to a Gold Star dad who said,
'isn't it wonderfully ironicthat their right
toprotest this event has been paid for by the
very thing they are protesting?"
Events in this year's Idaho Run for the Fallen
begin with a dedication ceremony at 10 a.m.
Friday at the Century Higfh School Field, 7801
Diamond Back Drive, Pocatello. At 6 p.m. Friday,
a youth ceremony will be held.
The actual run kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday, May
26, at the Century High School track, located
near the Idaho Field of Heroes Memorial. There
will be a Gold Star Family luncheon by
invitation, and at 2 p.m. it's "Weapons of Brass
Destruction," a concert by the 25th Army Band.
At 2 p.m. Sunday, May 27, a Soldier Song Concert
featuring recording artist Tony Rosario, again
on the Century High School field, and on Monday
a POW*MIA Awareness Rally and Thunder Run
Tribute takes place at 5:45 p.m., followed with
the sunset closing flag ceremony by the
Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard at 6 p.m. |
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