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Post by mcbeth on Apr 19, 2009 9:23:42 GMT -4
This is a call for prayers for the families of the people who died yesterday in Middletown. That's where I grew up, and I knew the wife's older siblings. This is such a horrible thing and I just can't imagine how these families are feeling.
Thank you, McB
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Post by moosie on Apr 19, 2009 11:03:10 GMT -4
what a terrible tragedy. how sad that this person could find no other way out of his problems, and had to take innocents with him.
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Post by speedergurl68 on Apr 19, 2009 17:02:19 GMT -4
My prayers have been with those remaining since I first heard of this horrible, horrible tragedy.
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Post by mcbeth on Apr 23, 2009 18:31:40 GMT -4
I'm "bumping" this one back to the front. I read earlier today that the Westboro Baptist Church has announced that they intend to protest at the Billotti-Woods' funerals. While I support free speech, this is a viperous group of hate-mongerers who also protest at the funerals of our military members. I personally find them offensive (I ask that you come to your own conclusion, not necessarily mine). I didn't know her, only knew her siblings and parents, but Francie was by all accounts a caring, nurturing woman who contributed much to the communities in which she lived. She, her husband, their children, and both families and their friends do not deserve to be subjected to such behavior. (Neither do the members of the military who have died).
Please keep the family members and my hometown in your thoughts and/or prayers, that they will have peace and be able to memorialize Francie, Chris, Chandler, Gavin and Fiona with love, and without disruptions. The funeral is at 10:30 tomorrow morning, so if you happen to think of it, send up a thought around that time, if you could.
Thank you, McB
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Post by moosie on Apr 23, 2009 19:50:03 GMT -4
i've heard about people doing this--i don;t know if that particular group or not. in any case, it is reprehensible. no matter what one's political or other opinions may or not be, to do something like this at a time of grieving is unconscionable. i pray they do not show up.
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Post by mcbeth on Apr 23, 2009 21:08:13 GMT -4
To give you an idea of the type of "Christians" they are (and I use the term very loosely) the website for their so-called "church" is . Nice, huh? Fortunately there is a group of motorcyclists, the Patriot Riders, who attend military funerals where WBC plans to picket, and they form a blockade, of sorts, between the mourners and the idiots, I mean the "church" members. The Patriot Riders are a god-send to the families. I don't know if they will be involved tomorrow, but I'm glad they are there for the families of men and women killed serving our country. As for why they are planning to come to MD, well, it's apparently because a federal judge in Maryland awarded a pretty huge penalty against them for their behavior at a Maryland military man's funeral several years ago. It was later reduced from almost $11 million to $5 million. The man's father (a man from Pennsylvania) decided to fight back against them. So, they pretty much hate all of Maryland and are using this terrible tragedy as an excuse to peddle their hate and lies. (Oops, sorry, forgot that there is a censor, but you can easily figure out the website, I'm sure. That is among a long list of words that I don't use easily, btw). They tend to "threaten" to show up and then they don't (cowards). I am hoping this will be the case. They will not be welcomed in a town as tight-knit as my town, and it is my hope that they will very much feel how unwelcome they will be. EDIT NOTE: I've found out that there will be people who will help to shield the family, some of them are classmates of mine. I pray for their safety, and I am thankful that they are so caring!
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Post by speedergurl68 on Apr 24, 2009 6:02:13 GMT -4
Their family continues to be in my prayers.
And...one thought on groups of individuals like "that" one....they can call themselves antelopes for all I care....that doesn't mean they ARE antelopes. There is a VAST chasm of difference between SAYING you are something...and actually BEING that something. There is a verse in the Bible that says, ""For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush." (Luke 6:44) I know their kind of tree, and, it's NOT what they are saying it is.
May this family that you know, and all others having to face such hard and trying times find peace and solace and comfort.
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Post by AquaHolic on Apr 24, 2009 13:46:20 GMT -4
Mcbeth... I truly hate the people who protest funerals...they are trying to make it about "them" and that really pisses me off. They are not Christians they are the evil people that God warned us about in the Bible. They need to get a life and grow a brain cell. I hope the funeral is peaceful for those (family and friends) who attend.... Barb
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Post by mcbeth on Apr 24, 2009 15:46:59 GMT -4
Thank you again, everyone, for thoughts, prayers, etc. From what I've read so far, the cowards from WBC didn't show up today. Actually, that's more their way; they also like to send empty threats. I do know that they would have been met with great opposition; my friends (and we're OLD) were pretty set on making sure that they would have no access to the family and friends of the Billotti-Wood family. I pray now that there will be healing for all. It's been a very sad week.
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Post by mcbeth on Apr 25, 2009 20:18:10 GMT -4
Update: Apparently they did show up at the funeral, only 5 of them, and they were not there for long; there were counter-protesters, which just doesn't sound like my Middletown (they are not generally a "protesting/counter-protesting" sort of folk) but I'm proud to know that their point was made that these interloping idiots are not welcome in W. MD. Then, the WBC group drove to Bethesda to protest @ Walt Whitman High School because the high school is named after a poet whose sexuality has remained enigmatic. I would hate to be so paranoid that I would protest at a school just because it is named after someone. It makes me feel better that everyone is onto their game, and that they are viewed as nothing more than crackpots. But, I still find it amazing that these folks' tongues don't leap out of their mouths when they claim to be "Christian"...
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Post by bchevy on Apr 25, 2009 23:20:25 GMT -4
I'm "bumping" this one back to the front. I read earlier today that the Westboro Baptist Church has announced that they intend to protest at the Billotti-Woods' funerals. While I support free speech, this is a viperous group of hate-mongerers who also protest at the funerals of our military members. I personally find them offensive That group is just plain whacked.
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Post by funnel101 on Apr 28, 2009 11:55:33 GMT -4
Mcbeth... I truly hate the people who protest funerals...they are trying to make it about "them" and that really pisses me off. They are not Christians they are the evil people that God warned us about in the Bible. They need to get a life and grow a brain cell. I hope the funeral is peaceful for those (family and friends) who attend.... Barb "Pray for those who persecute you", etc. I actually sent Fred Phelps a Christmas card a few years ago; luckily, never got anything back in return... People that angry and hateful are themselves full of suffering. They cause a lot of suffering because of that. Frankly, I feel bad for them.
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