Right around the corner from me

Westboro Baptist Church may be planning protest at Sunday's funeral of fallen soldier in Newtown

Published: Tuesday, August 02, 2011
By Jeff Werner
BucksLocalNews.com

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP - The Westboro Baptist Church, an independent Kansas-based institution known for its extreme stance against homosexuality and its protest activities at military funerals, may be planning a protest for Sunday at the Newtown Township funeral of Sergeant First Class Kenneth B. Elwell.

Elwell, a native of Holland, was killed in action on July 17 while serving his country in Afghanistan. His funeral is scheduled for Sunday afternoon and evening at the Church of Saint Andrew in Newtown Township.

While Elwell's funeral was not listed on the church’s official picket schedule as of Monday evening, Westboro has issued a rote press release saying, “God hates America and is killing our troops in his wrath (over homosexuality) -- this message to be preached in respectful, lawful proximity to the memorials” of Sgt. 1st Class Elwell on Sunday at 5:15 p.m. at the Church of Saint Andrew, Newtown, and again on Aug. 10 at 12:15 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery where Elwell will be buried.

The same rote press release was issued for Sgt. Brian K. Mowery who will be laid to rest on Aug. 2 at the Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Lebanon County. Mowery, a National Guardsman, was killed July 18 in Afghanistan.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that Westboro’s protests at military funerals constituted free speech. The decision was in response to a suit brought by Albert Snyder, the father of Matthew Snyder, a U.S. Marine who was killed in Iraq. In 2006, Westboro picketed the Marine’s funeral in Maryland with banners saying, "God hates fags" and "Thank God for dead soldiers.”

Sgt. 1st Class Elwell, who was stationed at Ft. Wainwright, Alaska, with the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, enlistment in the United States Army in 1997 after graduating from Council Rock High School.

The 33-year-old served one tour of duty each in Bosnia, South Korea and Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq.
The Patriot Guard has already stated they will be there. Gotta contact them to see how I can help