Protest planned at Idaho Run for the Fallen
May 24, 2012
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."

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.