Church to protest soldier's funeral

Harley

A radical religious group, mostly known for protesting at military funerals, claims it will be present at the funeral service of a local fallen National Guardsman that will be held Thursday afternoon.

Westboro Baptist Church, based in Topeka, Kan., sent a press release with the time and place of the funeral of Staff Sgt. Willie Harley, 48, of Aiken, stating church members will be there to protest. The church also claims it will be present at the funeral of Spc. Luther Rabon, 32, of Lexington, which is scheduled for Saturday.

Both men were killed on Oct. 1 when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated under their vehicle in Afghanistan. Both Harley and Rabon were part of the 1221st Engineer Clearance Company, based in Graniteville. The unit of around 100 men and women was deployed July 9 and is scheduled to come home next summer.

The press release states the protest is an effort to spread Westboro's message of why "God hates America and is killing our troops in his wrath," claiming that U.S. soldiers are dying for this country's various "sins." Westboro church members attempt to go to any military funeral to hold their demonstrations - the news release listed 13 military funerals scheduled around the country where they plan to protest.

Phillip Lee, pastor of Cedar Creek Church, which is holding the service, said that he has never had any prior experiences with Westboro Baptist Church, and he hopes his first encounter will not be on Thursday.

"I'm hoping that they don't show up for the sake of the family and the community, but mostly for the family," Lee said. "The bottom line for us is to do everything in our power to give the family a place to celebrate the life of Staff Sgt. Harley."

Lee said he needed to speak with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office for details on how his church will handle the possible presence of these protesters. He added that the church has its own security team, and several members will be present at the funeral, but they will most likely be under the direction of the sheriff's office.

Capt. Troy Elwell, Aiken County Sheriff's Office spokesperson, said the sheriff's office was unaware of Westboro Baptist Church's plans to protest the funeral. He said deputies will make contact with Cedar Creek and plan to have security available if necessary.

"They have the right to protest, but there are some limitations in place as there are with any group," Elwell said.

Limitations include where protesters can organize in proximity to private property. The sheriff's office will make sure the group is aware of those legalities and enforce them, he said.

"We will have the manpower necessary to handle any situation that may arise," Elwell said.

The press release states that the members of Westboro Baptist Church will preach their message in "respectful, lawful proximity to the memorials."

The church sent a similar release when Cpl. Matt Dillon, 25, of Aiken, was killed by an IED in Iraq on Dec. 11, 2007, but church members were not present at the funeral.

The Patriot Guard Riders, who were present when Harley's remains were returned home Saturday and at Dillon's funeral, will be at both Harley's and Rabon's services, according to the group's website. The Patriot Guard Riders are a national group of motorcyclists whose mission is to protect family members and friends of fallen troops from protesters.

Staff writer Karen Daily contributed to this article.

Contact Amy Banton at abanton@aikenstandard.com.