Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act

[MrsWildweasel]

I got this in my e-mail and I thought I would post this here. For those that aren't in favor please keep your comments out, but for those that are here is a link and the e-mail. Thanks.


http://www.mikerogers.house.gov/default.aspx

Contact: Press Secretary Sylvia Warner 03/23/06Phone:
202-225-4872 Rogers: On-Line Petition Supports Ban on Funeral
Protests
Thursday, March 23, 2006 – Americans who believe that U.S. soldiers
killed in combat deserve a dignified funeral and a time for family and
friends to mourn in peace, can help make that possible.
“America honors and respects our soldiers, and none more than
those who die defending freedom and our nation,” said U.S. Rep. Mike
Rogers, MI-08, who is introducing federal legislation banning
protestors
from military funerals. “We are asking citizens to help protect the
funerals of those soldiers and their mourners from the disrespect of
protestors who disrupt funeral and burial services and add to the pain of
losing a loved one.”
Rogers’ legislation, the Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes
Act, would ban demonstrations at funerals in national cemeteries. It
also
urges all 50 states to adopt similar laws for all military funerals.
Giving citizens an opportunity to participate in the process
and support the legislation, Rogers is launching an on-line petition
today. The petition will allow citizens to express honor and respect
for
our American soldiers who make the ultimate sacrifice for the nation,
as
well as support for the people they love and leave behind.
The petition and comments from citizens will be presented to
the House Veterans Affairs Committee at an April 6 hearing in
Washington.
Petitions can be signed at www.mikerogers.house.gov beginning today.
Rogers drafted the legislation after attending the funeral of a
Michigan soldier who died of combat wounds suffered in Iraq.
Protestors attempted to disrupt the funeral by shouting vile and
harassing
slogans at the family and other mourners.
“No family burying a son or daughter, a husband or wife, a
brother or sister, should be faced with the insults, verbal attacks,
and
intimidation that these protestors were screaming or displaying on
signs,” said Rogers, a former soldier and brother of an active duty
soldier.
“At first it made me very angry, but then I quickly realized that we
must do something to stop it, and that is what this legislation will
do,
it will make it illegal to show disrespect, or harass the funeral of a
soldier and his or her family and friends.”
The measure bans protests 60 minutes before, during, or 60
minutes after the service, and requires that any such protests must
stay at least 500 feet from the funeral site.
Co-sponsors for the Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act
include Rep. Steve Buyer of Indiana, chairman of the House Veterans’
Affairs Committee, and Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas, ranking member on
the Committee.

 

[JonJ]

A sad day in this country when we need a law for something like this.

 

[Admin]

A sad day in this country when we need a law for something like this.

+1 Minnesota already passed a state law on this.

 

[Lynne]

Thanks for posting that Sue.

 

[FPrice]

A sad day in this country when we need a law for something like this.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[MrsWildweasel]

I agree, but I also don't want to see our fallen heroes families go through protesters either and the likes of Phelps.

 

[MrsWildweasel]

This was my brothers comments. Close to mine but I wish I had thought of the last part he wrote.
Congressman Rogers, You have my respect and full support for this legislation. My father, sister, brother-in-law, and myself are all veterans. My nephew is currently serving in the Army in Iraq. To think that people are abusing the very freedoms past soldiers have died for is appalling. No family should have to endure something like that during their time of grief. If this legislation fails maybe you could pass one requiring all of these protestors to be registered and the list available to the public so that if someone in their family dies we can return them the same courtesy and protest at their funeral services.

 

[Martlet]

I'm torn on this. On the one hand, I'd love the opportunity to to lock myself in a room with Phelps for 45 minutes with a telephone wire, vinegar, and a pair of tweezers.

On the other hand, I hate seeing protesting silenced, no matter how repulsive it is.

 

[FPrice]

On the other hand, I hate seeing protesting silenced, no matter how repulsive it is.

It is not protesting, it is insulting the memory of a brave person and interrupting the grieving process of those left behind. If it was a true protest, they would not depend upon a funeral to gather and make their noise. Instead they would do it in front of the leaders of the country.

 

[Martlet]

It is not protesting, it is insulting the memory of a brave person and interrupting the grieving process of those left behind. If it was a true protest, they would not depend upon a funeral to gather and make their noise. Instead they would do it in front of the leaders of the country.

I disagree. People protest where they'll get the most media coverage for their cause.

 

[dreppucci007]

A sad day in this country when we need a law for something like this.

+1 to that.

 

[Nickle]

Originally Posted by JonJ
A sad day in this country when we need a law for something like this.

+1 to that.

Add me to that. Normally I detest laws such as this, or Flag-Burning laws.

However, the Lib-Tards and Moronic Bible-Thumpers (like Phelps, a small minority) have forced the issue.

 

[Kalahari]

Here's what I had to say:

Mr. Rogers -

Although I am just a high school student, I understand fully the freedoms and rights our soldiers protect everyday when they risk their lives for our country. I find it most appaling that this outstanding courage can go unacknowledged and unappreciated. These protesting groups should realize they are dishonoring the people that gave them the right to protest. It disgusts me to think someone could abuse such a freedom so sacrifically given to them.

 

[MrsWildweasel]

Thanks. Even though you're a high school student you get it.

 

[strightleg]

Kalahari,
Thank you! this is where it starts we need more young patriotic people like you.

 

[Nickle]

Kalahari, never sell yourself short because of your age, or the fact you're still in school.

Age does not equal maturity or wisdom. You have both, and that's a good thing.

 

[Twigg]

+1

Here's what I had to say:

Mr. Rogers -

Although I am just a high school student, I understand fully the freedoms and rights our soldiers protect everyday when they risk their lives for our country. I find it most appaling that this outstanding courage can go unacknowledged and unappreciated. These protesting groups should realize they are dishonoring the people that gave them the right to protest. It disgusts me to think someone could abuse such a freedom so sacrifically given to them.

There's hope for the country yet. We need more high school kids like you.

 

[Lynne]

Here's what I had to say:

Mr. Rogers -

Although I am just a high school student, I understand fully the freedoms and rights our soldiers protect everyday when they risk their lives for our country. I find it most appaling that this outstanding courage can go unacknowledged and unappreciated. These protesting groups should realize they are dishonoring the people that gave them the right to protest. It disgusts me to think someone could abuse such a freedom so sacrifically given to them.

I'm very proud to have you as a member on NES hun. Don't EVER change.

 

[MrsWildweasel]

I'll second that.