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Off Topic- Funerals
Well today as I was driving to work a funeral parade drove by (I don't know if parade is the right word, but where the hearse is in front and the followers are driving behind with their lights on). Anyway I was at an inersection so I could not turn right until after they passed, so I didn't have to worry about the question I am about to ask. When I was little I remember that when a funeral parade went by people would pull over (on both sides of the road) until it passed, I am assuming as a sign of respect. I don't see this anymore, I have even seen people cut in front of the rear cars. Now the situation I am in is probably different since I live in a city, but I was wondering if you personally pull over when a funeral parade passes by?
Drew
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A bum-legged old man and a drunk. That's all you got?
That's WHAT I got.
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Absolutely pull over. In the old days gentlemen (rare in today's world) would also remove their hat and stand at attention.
In the little town where I grew up, the church bells would ring when a member of the church died as well.
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LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
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Most definitely. Of course, since I live in small town West TN, that is what our culture here demands. Always has; hopefully, always will. It saddens me to see such old traditions of respect going down the tubes in today's hectic world. No one should be so busy to not show respect to other folks, especially in this situation.
Along similar lines, another peeve I have is protesters picketing the funerals of our fallen soldiers. One such protest has been scheduled for the funeral of a fallen Marine in southern Illinois. Protesters tried the same tactic in McKenzie, TN a few short months ago when an Army boy was killed in Iraq. The protesters were met a few miles out of town by local folks and were denied access to the funeral. As they should have been. 'Nuff said.
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No disrespect meant Gary, but I find it hard to believe that anyone would protest and picket a funeral
I would think such bad behavior would have made the national news.
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In many states it's the law to pull over for a funeral procession - not just a metter of courtesy or respect. (The cars in the procession usually have to have headlights on or other identifier) Large processions sometimes have police escorts - and can legally go through red lights and stop signs.
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protesting at a funeral.Out here it would only happen once whether or not you agree with the war you never disrespect the soldier
unless you are willing to get your a**kicked
by someone who does respect them.
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Protesting the war and protesting a funeral are two hugely different things
People against the war feel the pain of every casulty as much as anyone else ... maybe more
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Dudley, that doesn't give 'protestors' the right to invade or disrupt the funeral.
How sad.
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LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
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LF I'm just saying that I find garyj147's story hard to believe, as stated, and I don't think that anyone should get too worked up about it.
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Dudley, I hate to say it, but those protests at military funerals have been happening. It is true, it is just hard to believe that any human beings could sink so low.
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Hi Everyone,
I live in Prince Edward Island, the smallest province in Canada, around 130,000 people and you will see cars pull over all the time and I also remove my hat if I'm wearing one. I have been in other provinces and have not seen people pull over. I think it's disrepectfull not to pull over.
I also could not amagine someone picketing the funeral of a fallen soldier. If it is true, they should be the ones that are shot!!!
My 2 cents worth,
Alan (salmonguy)
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Dudley,
I just got home from work and watched the Channel 6 (WPSD-TV Paducah, KY) news. The Marine's funeral was in Woodlawn, IL today. There were several "protesters" at the funeral, but the News team did not film them. They were reportedly there to disrupt the funeral. They were kept away from the funeral site an unknown distance by tyhe local authorities. I don't know if they made it safely out of town or not. Check it out for yourself. [url=http://www.wpsdtv.com/emm-bin/homepage.cgi:56e22]http://www.wpsdtv.com/emm-bin/homepage.cgi[/url:56e22]
This article was put out prior to the news report this evening.
Isn't it ironic that Lance Corporal Price paid the ultimate cost to protect those "protester's" rights? I use the quotes around the word "protesters" to symbolize my total disdain for this group of people. I will not lower myself to call them what I really think they are.
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I live in middle Tennessee and it makes no difference if the funeral is large or small, there is usually a police escort and people will pull over to show respect. I buried my Father this past September 1st, and I was "touched" by the respect shown by others who pulled over. The only vehicle that did not pull over and stop was a Brinks truck. One part of the trip to the grave site was on a divided 4-lane interstate and the cars still pulled over in the other 2 lanes across the median. It just shows respect and I am glad I live where this custom has not been dropped.
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Warren
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This ones a no brainer. Stop, remove hat,
show respect. When the procession has
passed, resume whatever you were doing.
As to using the death of someone to protest
the war or political ideals, IMHO that would
be lower than whale poop. If it's a problem
and there isn't a law, then there needs to
be one and it needs to be enforced.
Warm regards, Jim
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dudley,
You are WRONG. Not EVERYONE who protests the war feels the pain of the casualties. Some, and I have seen some of them, hate the military personnel as well. Fortunately they are in the minority but they do tend to flock together like bad apples.
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Amen! JC you hit the nail on the head on that one.
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I was coming off a highway ramp and a funeral procession was on the service road, even though they had the yeild sign none did.
I was stopped, it's not my custom to "cut" into a procession. A cop pulled up behind me, and using his outside bull horn informed me...."Move or get a ticket."...
Got to love cops...I think it's still unlawful to not ceded right of way to a procession in Arkansas. It's at least rude...no-one should be in that much of a rush.
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bubba_orvis
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Dudley,
Those protests DO happen. I'll say this, and it may not be popular, but if this ol' VietNam vet attends a funeral with protesters present, they damn well better have an ambulance nearby, 'cuz we're gonna dance! No matter the cause, manners & respect should NOT be abandoned.
Mike
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This site's about sharing!
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It would be much the same here in WYO. I don't want to know how I would react!
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Wyo-blizzard aka Bloody Tom Bonney
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Dudley, the protests do occur. They have been televised locally. (We are fairly close to Fort Campbell, home of the 101st Air Mobile Division)
Ohiotuber, locally you could not be assured of such a dance as the protesters "Dance Cards" seem to get liberally punched...
I honor the tradition of "Paying last RESPECTS". I would step out of my vehicle, but in Nashville I'd probably get run over. In small towns it is safe to do so. They have not been "sophisticated" out of their good manners...
Ed
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I am one who has (and will again) protest the war. I think the best way to respect those who are willing to put their lives at risk to keep us safe is by not putting their lives at risk without good cause. I know others disagree with my definition of good cause, but I will not argue that on this site. I say that as preface for the following.
I also find it distasteful that protesters choose a venue of a funeral to protest. Common courtesy should tell you that it is not an appropriate place for such things. There is a time and place for everything and it is totally disrespectful to those who have fallen to protect us (regardless of weather you agree about the war or not). Nobody who goes to war does so with the belief that they are "wrong". They go because they believe that their duty is to protect their country and I respect that at the same time I disagree with their reasoning. If I were to find those protesters outside a funeral I was attending I would be tied for first one (with you) to go there and let them know where to go and how to get there.
On the other hand. Do not paint all protesters with the same brush. There are idiot protesters and supporters on all sides of every issue. For every story like this one there are stories of pro-war people attacking those who do protest, which also shows a profound disrespect for what America is about, that being the right to speak out for what you believe in without having to fear physical attack for your beliefs.
I always say, that when the KKK wants to protest I will be the first to defend their rights to speak out... then I will work to organize a demonstration ten fold the size of theirs. Thats how you respond!
jed
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Just as Jed indicated, not all people who are opposed to the current Iraqi war are opposed to a strong military service. It troubles me to see out troops sent off to a conflict that is under-funded, under-staffed, and has no clearly defined victory.
I served in a war that was micro-managed by LBJ. I have tremendous sympathy and compassion for those troops currently serving in a war under civilian leaders who fail to face reality.
"Bring it on!" is not a sound military strategy when greatly outnumbered and unable to distinguish nominal allies from frank enemies. Nor is it acceptable language from a head of state.
It angers me and saddens me that anyone would choose to protest a military funeral. But it saddens me that anyone would argue against the freedom to speak out against a war or any other governmental action.
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I hereby tip my hat to the "Greatest Generation". Those people across the world who sacrificed their lives, freedom, and livelihoods to emerge victorious in the Second World War.
I truly believe that if today's generation were in charge then; we'd be speaking German or Japanese.
I reserve the right to treat any protester who disrupts any military funeral I attend; the same treatment I intend to inflict on any PETA member who interferes with my fishing.
Please, oh please; bring it on!
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Here in small town Southern Illinois we pull over when a procession comes by. The infamouse "Westboro Baptist Church"
protested a local fallen Marines Funeral. Ordinances were passed to prevent this in all the local towns in the future.
Kahuna
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We still pull over and remove hats in Upstate South Carolina. I don't know if it's on the law books but to me it's the right thing to do. As our population has grown and more people have come in from other areas, I've noticed an increase in the number of people who refuse to pull over, fail to yield or cut into funeral processions.
I find it hard to believe that anyone would interupt the funeral of someone who gave the full measure of service to our country. Absolutely despicable behavior---right there along side the child molesters. 8T
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Well Gary, I apoligize for not believing you.
It's just so hard to believe that anyone would stoop so low to get their point across.
A "fundamentalist religious group" from Kansas too. You would think they would have more respect.
Please don't think that all war protesters would behave that same way. The price of war is high, and we have too much respect for those that have to pay that price.
Here's the story for those that missed it. [url=http://www.wpsdtv.com/articles/stories/public/200601/19/0ggS_local_news.html:98669]http://www.wpsdtv.com/articles/stories/public/200601/19/0ggS_local_news.html[/url:98669]
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Dudley,
Apology accepted; I wasn't that steamed about your comments. I know how difficult it is to believe people would do that to a fallen soldier. Whether or not I support the current war is irrelevant to this discussion; but that someone in this country would NOT support our troops or have respect for a dead soldier, his family, and friends, is abominable. The soldiers who have been ordered into harm's way have no recourse but to go as ordered, whether they agree with the Administration or not. That so many are willing to be away from family for months on end; stand up, fight, and die, to ensure freedom continues to awe me. I have nothing but profound gratitude and respect for these men and women in uniform. I'm proud to say my son-in-law is one of those brave soldiers. He went into Afghanistan with the U.S. invasion force, into Iraq with the U.S. force that invaded and captured Saddam, and is currently serving yet another tour of duty in a combat zone, again in Iraq. Those of you who have a son or daughter (or -in-laws as I do) in Iraq or Afghanistan know the daily worry for their safety that nags you constantly. If they would have me, I would gladly go take his place. But I'm certain the Army doesn't want a fat, old, bald man to slow them down. Zimrx17, I apologize for changing the tune of your thread with my posting.
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The protest that was on that WPSD-TV website happened just a few miles from me. That is the second one in this area here in Southern Illinois. It really PO's me. No soldier or family deserves that. My dad is a Korean War Vet...my 19 year old Nephew is also a Marine.
Kahuna
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Folks, regardless of what our detractors say about us, we are not against folks who have opinions different from ours. What has happened in this country however, is a general disrespect for manners and civility not to mention the value of our current education system.
There is a time and a place for everything, and no, it's not 'alright' to protest at a funeral. It never was. Some of us are old enough to know that without having to be told.
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LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
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Folks I have a friend that knew the young man that was killed.He was there.SO WAS the VFW and DAV.The protest was semi interupted when the afore mentioned VETS threatened bodily harm.The idea of protesting at a vets funeral is discusting and nauseating.
I always try to pull over and stop or slow for a funeral procession.Hat off and head bowed.
Those Idiots treatened to protest at the young Marines funeral in Woodlawn Illinois but were informed don't even try it.
Dennis in So.Illinois also a VET and Proud of it.
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Just for interest... I was surprised by this thread, as I have never heard of anyone actually stopping or pulling over for a funeral procession. People might treat it with some respect, remove hat and that sort of stuff, but pull over - not that I have seen.
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We do not inherit the earth - we borrow it from our children.
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The only courtesy I see here in my area for a funeral procession is allowing it to pass through a red stoplight signal.I'm informed that the funeral procession does NOT have the right of way but is allowed to proceed as a courtesy/respect ONLY. If you are travelling in the same direction, the common practice is to pull over but if in the opposite direction, no action is taken.
As for the other topic regarding disruption of a soldiers burial, I'm speechless.
Mark
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Marco,
I could not agree more.. Very well said
Take care
Steve
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How did a simple question about what you do when you see a funeral procession get turned into protesting at a soldiers funeral, and ultimately (I assume it would probably get there) the war. I thank everyone who answered the question that was asked. It is nice to know that in other areas the same "respect" is given to funeral processions that I grew up knowing. For the others I would just like to know why you brought up the topic of the war and soldiers funerals? I don't think the two go hand in hand (you may try to reach about the respect thing and whatnot), but it seems eerily similar to trying to push someone's agenda, and using this "hot" topic which pushes at everyone's strings is easy. I think with all the "shack nasties" that have been going on this could easily turn into one.
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A bum-legged old man and a drunk. That's all you got?
That's WHAT I got.
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As a kid I spent my summers at my Grandparents house, right across the street from the entrance to the cemetery.
If we were outside working in the garden, we stopped and bowed our heads in respect until the whole procession had made its way into the cemetery.
It was a different time, I even stood at attention inside the house when the National Anthem was played before a baseball game ON THE RADIO.
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LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
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Lets get this back to flyfishing:
Fly fisher standing mid stream near a bridge,
As he stood facing the bridge a funeral
parade passes over the bridge and he promptly removes his hat and covers his heart.
Once the parade passed he continues on
flyfishin.
A young man watching him from the bank
tells him how that was the niceset thing he has ever seen,
The fly fisher replies:
It was the least I could do I was with the women for fifty years..
Bitta Bing.....
Take care!
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By the look at all the no responces,(just countem) to my good humor that I posted above , That ole saying "some just can't tell no joke must surely apply,
No stones please....
Take care
Steve Molcsan
[This message has been edited by Steve Molcsan (edited 01 February 2006).]
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The tradition use to be, that everyone in the funeral procession (not parade), would have their headlights on, to show that they were part of the funeral procession.
Now a days, with Daylight Running Lights on vehicles, this tradition does not help. Everyone has their headlights on when the vehicle engine is running.
So many Funeral Homes have started affix, Funeral banners on the hoods of the cars, in the procession. Still the trouble of drivers too much in a hurry, cutting into or through a Funeral Procession.
It is "UNLAWFUL FOR ANYONE TO INTERFERE WITH A FUNERAL PROCESSION ON THE ROAD"!
It is also dangerous for those in the funeral procession, as too many accidents happen, because of drivers (not part of the procession) that have no respect for tradition or other drivers on the road.
Grandpa always referred to these irresponsible drivers as...."ACCIDENTS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO HAPPEN!"
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Steve I have heard that joke before, except it was a golfer, I guess both are very addictive habits.
Drew
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A bum-legged old man and a drunk. That's all you got?
That's WHAT I got.