A FEW HOURS after sunset today, there may be another glow in the sky at the north end of town. The glow will be composed of candlelight, magnified by friendship and memories.
The vigil in memory of Pvt. David Lane will begin at 9 p.m. at the National Guard Armory, 18th Avenue and Merchant Street. It may be the only chance most people will have to gather to express their grief at Lane’s death. The 20-year-old soldier was killed by a roadside bomb Tuesday in Iraq.
There might be no public funeral for David Lane.
That is not because his family members and friends want to retreat into their grief and turn away from the community. They know that many others share their sorrow. It is not because they are ashamed of Lane’s service to his country. They are proud that he was a soldier.
The reason that the family is considering a private, unpublicized funeral is Fred Phelps and his mean-spirited disciples. At the moment, the family cannot face the likelihood that David Lane’s funeral would by picketed by the loonies from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka.
The family’s feelings are understandable and the decision is theirs to make. No one has a right to question it.
But anyone has a right to be angry that the family has been placed in a position where that decision must be made.
In no way can it be right that the sorrow and pride of a soldier’s family — of a soldier’s community — can be muted by the cruel ravings of a tiny sect of professional haters.
And it is the cruelest of ironies that Phelps and his followers snipe at grieving families from the protection of the same Constitution that Pvt. David Lane and all members of the armed forces are sworn to uphold and defend.
But this is a time for sorrow, not anger or irony.
Tonight, the people of Emporia will have an opportunity to light a candle and show David Lane’s family how they feel.
create (anonymous) says...
How very sad. I feel so bad about this. As if grief wasn't enough, a family has to be concerned about being confronted by that demon Phelps and his group of malignant, hate-mongering curs. A grieving family is at its most vulnerable. Is that why Phelps picks on them? I'm paraphrasing here, but didn't Christ say,"when you do this to the least of them, you do this to me"?
Mr. Kelley, I hope this editorial doesn't give Phelps a heads up.
September 8, 2007 at 4:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abc123 (anonymous) says...
How dare Fred Phelps have his way with this family!!! Someone, anyone who knows this family please get them in touch with the PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS!!! www.patriotguard.org
They can protect and support and completely BLOCK the phelps protestors if the family does wish to honor their fallen hero!! What a shame that Phelps even has to cross their minds at this time! Best wishes and my sympathy.
September 8, 2007 at 9:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abc123 (anonymous) says...
.......protect and support the family that is, and BLOCK the protestors.....does that read better?
September 8, 2007 at 9:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )