Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Fallen



KINGSLEY, Iowa -- Spc. Chad Groepper, 21, of Kingsley passed away Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008, in Diyali Province, northeast of Baghdad, Iraq, from combat injuries suffered while serving in the U.S. Army.

Services will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Kingsley-Pierson High School. Chad Groepper was born Oct. 24, 1986, to David and Darcy Groepper in Sioux City. He graduated from Kingsley-Pierson High School in December 2004. During his childhood years, he enjoyed fishing, building, tinkering with anything mechanical, helping his dad with the cattle and his mom with yard work. He loved his pets. His dogs, Jack and Gunther remain on the family farm with mom and dad. His favorite childhood dog, Celie, is buried in the Groepper family year near the pasture. If it were up to Chad, he would have most likely wanted to be laid to rest next to her.

One of the reasons I wanted to share this with you, is to share what some people are planning to do at his funeral tomorrow: The crazed people from Westboro Baptist Church are going to picket at his funeral.
THESE PEOPLE MAKE ME SICK
They have a very sickening website, and even a link to their picket schedule. Tomorrow they are going to protest at Chad's Funeral. Here's tomorrow's listing:
Upcoming Picket Schedule
02/27/2008
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM
Kingsley, IA
I am not sure how these people do this. I suppose the same way I don't understand how terrorists do what they do. Well, one thing I know is, if they showed up at some families I know funerals from Wyoming, IA there would be some physically challenged individuals limping back to Kansas. That is, if they lived. You may think I'm kidding, but for any of you from a small town, imagine some of the people you know having these people showing up at their families funeral. There would definitely be hell to pay. Kingsley is a pretty small town, awfully brave or stupid of these people if you ask me.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pretty sad to lose these kids. (And for what?) Anyway, I heard this was Nicole's cousin or second cousin. I hope those bastards from Kansas don't show.

Mary said...

100% agree. I read about a group called the Patriot Guard Riders who attend funerals of veterans and attempt to shield the funeral attendees from the protesters. Looks like they have Chad's service on their itinerary.

Travis said...

Terry- yeah, he was Nicole's second cousin. Read Mary's post below for the other part..

Travis said...

Mary- Thanks for that link. I read their mission statement, that's pretty cool that they do that. Nicole's grandma had told her about a group that rides motorcycles that comes to the funerals, but none of us knew exactly who they were.

Unknown said...

NICOLE...I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS IN YOUR FAMILY. YOU GUYS ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO BE THE WAY THEY ARE. AND SHOW UP AT FUNERAL'S. PEOPLE ARE GRIEVING FOR THERE LOVED ONES THAT WILL ONLY BE THERE IN SPIRIT.

brando said...

What prompted your change of heart?