I'd like to see your carvings honoring fallen soldiers. Personally I've not yet carved one but a recent incident "back home" is driving me to finally take that step.

The Incident
Where I went to high school, the communities are so small that 7 "towns", in 3 counties, used one school. That's a lot of square miles where people all know each other... So when one of our own soldiers is killed in battle, we gather to show our respect.

This past week, the body of SPC Jeff White was sent home from Afghanistan. Hundreds of local motorcycle riders escorted his body from the airport in pouring rain. When he was later taken for burial, protesters from Westboro Church arrived bearing signs with VERY un-christian like slogans. {see photo below}

This handful of un-christian-like protesters were confronted by 2,000 mourners {reportedly as many as 700 on motorcycles}. They didn't get to do much protesting but were allowed to go home alive.

FYI - Photo and info on Mr. White can be seen at:
http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-spc-jeffrey-l-white/6568149


The Scum Protestors from Westboro Church.


My People at the funeral.




Butch Elrod - WoodHacker.com

World Map of Chainsaw Carving Artists

Butch, I'm amazed at the self control of you and your friends. These people that protest at a fallen soldiers funeral deserved nothing less than a beat down. Is this a common thing in California?

The rage I feel just looking at a picture of these bastards at your friends funeral is overwhelming. It is one thing to voice your own opinion on your own turf, but to go to a funeral and protest is just so wrong and these people should pay for their intrusion honoring that soldier and their familys sacrifice.

I just went to a funeral of a friend who was in the Marines that served in Vietnam from '67 thru '70. He was given an Honor Guard by our local chapter of the American Legion Riders. Everyone at the funeral was grateful and appreciative of the Legiona' participation there, especially his widow. -ken

Might make more sense if it were in California but this happened in Missouri.


Butch Elrod - WoodHacker.com

World Map of Chainsaw Carving Artists

As much as I might agree with you I have to say I fought as a Marine just so everyone can have their say. I defend the Constitution and the rights it affords us as well as those I don't always agree with. The more restrictions you place on others will also be placed on me.

Just as the scum-bags had a right to protest at the serviceman's funeral, so have the patriots the right to protest the scum-bags protesting at a funeral.

I feel the same about flag burning. If one has the right to do it in protest, another has the right to stop them in protest.


Butch Elrod - WoodHacker.com

World Map of Chainsaw Carving Artists