Montrose - Daily Press

Katharhynn Heidelberg

Daily Press News Editor

MONTROSE — Members of the Westboro Baptist Church found themselves outnumbered Sunday when they arrived to protest the funeral of U.S. Army Spc. Chris Sitton.

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A phalanx of flags held by more than 100 Patriot Guard Riders and volunteers stood between them and the grounds of Montrose High School, as people chanted the Pledge of Allegiance and more than 20 police officers monitored the scene.

But Sara Phelps said she didn't care what others thought. "These people hold patriotic pep rallies for these dead soldiers and this is the time to tell them, 1. Don't worship the dead. And, 2., Don't worship the flag. Those are two idols this country has clinged onto instead of just serving the Lord their God and obeying him. It makes me very happy that people hate us. I'm not out here to make friends."

Phelps, 25, is the granddaughter of Topeka-based Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps. She and approximately seven others, including two minor children, came to Montrose Sunday, picketing across the street from the school for 45 minutes prior to Sitton's rites.

The church group believes American war deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq are divine punishment for what it perceives to be the U.S. government's pro-gay agenda. Church members travel to various military funerals with their message, which has prompted several states to legislate the distance picketers must stay from any funeral.

Colorado's version of the Rest in Peace Act imposed a 100-foot barrier between protesters and funeral services. It became law in May and Montrose Police Chief Tom Chinn said the protesters complied.

"They didn't cause any problems other than trying to create public outrage," he said, adding later, "It's a shame something like this overshadows the purpose of a funeral. I just hope it doesn't."

Patriot Guard Rider Colorado Senior Ride Cpt. Wayne "Grumpy" Hemmert refused to acknowledge the church group's existence.

"We do not recognize them. ...They have no message. They don't exist," he said.

The Patriot Guard attends military funerals by invitation. Hemmert said members from four states had come to Sitton's to "pay honor and respect to the fallen hero that is going to be laid to rest here today.

"We're here to show honor and respect to the Sitton family for the loss of their son defending our nation, giving us the freedom to ride free and show respect."

Phelps said the Patriot Guard was "of no concern" to her and that her rights had come from God, not soldiers. "The Lord your God gave me the right to be on this street corner today. Did they fight in the Revoluntionary War? That's where the Constitution came from, not these people."

She said that though damned, Osama bin Laden had been acting as God's tool when he orchestrated the World Trade Center attacks. According to her church, the situation in Afghanistan where the 21-year-old Sitton died in late August, was punishment for President Bush's appointment of an ambassador Phelps said was gay. She also called Bush an "arrogant ass" and "bombastic bastard."

Phelps said the church was showing love by telling a hard truth. "If one of your friends that you loved were to jump off a cliff, would you not stop him? That's how you love your neighbor, by telling him the truth."

Montrose resident Beth Sage spoke to the Daily Press after the protesters left.

"I think it's disgusting, inappropriate," she said. "There's no word to describe it. It's harmful to the families."

Sage is a member of the Patriot Guard Riders and also Troops Need Support, which sends toiletries and other necessities to active duty military personnel. She said her daughter was a friend of Sitton's.

"Those people over there (military in Afghanistan and Iraq) are defending us. I'd like to put them (church group) over there."

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