I know this is not specifically genealogy related but
it does greatly affect Indiana families and their
observation of funeral rituals, so I thought I would
send this message out just to let people know what is
happening here in Indiana.
Spc. Matthew Frantz was a Lafayette soldier who was
killed in Iraq on Jan. 20th. The military was a life
long dream for him and he was passionate about serving
his country. Now, his family is facing fire. The
Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church, led by Rev. Fred
Waldron Phelps Sr. is planning to protest at his
funeral services today, declaring that Spc. Frantz was
punished with death for defending a country that
protects the rights of homosexuals. There are endless
disagreements about the war in Iraq and homosexuality
in the United States and while I appreciate that
people on both sides of the argument feel strongly
about these matters I think we can ALL agree on one
thing: a grieving family absolutely MUST be allowed to
lay their loved ones to rest in a peaceful and private
manner. While I strongly believe in our right as
Americans to protest, we must be allowed to bury our
sons, brothers, fiancees, cousins, friends, etc. in
peace, surrounded by people who will support us in our
time of need and not condemn.
The Indiana House of Representatives will soon be
voting on a bill that will prohibit protests within
500 feet of a funeral. If you support this bill,
please contact your representative and let them know.
http://www.in.gov/legislative/
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 20:29:40 -0800
From: Jeff Scism <scismgenie(a)adelphia.net>
To: INMONTGO-L(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: Re: DoD Identifies Army Casualties
DoD News wrote:
> NEWS RELEASES from the United States Department of
Defense
>
> No. 061-06 IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> Jan 23, 2006 Media Contact: Army Public Affairs -
(703) 692-2000
> Public/Industry(703)428-0711
>
> DoD Identifies Army Casualties
> The Department of Defense announced
today the death of four
> soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi
Freedom. They died in Al
> Huwijah, Iraq on Jan. 20, when an improvised
explosive device detonated near
> their HMMWV during patrol operations.
>
> Killed were:
>
> Staff Sgt. Rickey Scott, 30, of
Columbus, Ga.
>
> Sgt. Dennis J. Flanagan, 22, of
Inverness, Fla.
>
> Spc. Clifton J. Yazzie, 23, of
Fruitland, N.M.
>
> Spc. Matthew C. Frantz, 23, of
Lafayette, Ind.
>
> Scott, Flanagan and Yazzie were
assigned to the 1st Battalion,
> 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team,
101st Airborne Division,
> Fort Campbell, Ky.
>
> Frantz was assigned to the 1st Special
Troops Battalion, 1st
> Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort
Campbell, Ky.
>
> For further information related to
this release, contact Army
> Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
>
>
>
>
> [Web Version:
http://defenselink.mil/releases/2006/nr20060123-12355.html]
>
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