Mom of fallen Naperville soldier would like to talk to protesters
If any good has come from the Westboro Baptist Church protesting military funerals, Cindy Hennessy says, it's the way the patriots banded together to protect the grieving.
“For me as a parent, if that happened at my son's funeral, it would just add to the grief,” said Hennessy, whose son, Army Sgt. Jack Hennessy of Naperville, was killed in an Oct. 1, 2004, gunbattle in Baghdad. “It's just really sad because it's so unnecessary. It's appalling to me.”
Yet, if given the chance, Hennessy said, she would sit down with Westboro members and explain the grief of losing a child. She said it's a shame the church protests in the name of God.
“I am a Christian and I do not condone what they are doing at all,” she said. “I don't think Jesus would want them to be acting that way. I don't think it goes along with the message of mercy, grace and love. It's coming across as hate.”
Hennessy recalled how four Westboro protesters showed up for the funeral of another Naperville soldier, Army Sgt. Bradley Beste, in 2006.
By then, a volunteer group known as the Patriot Guard Riders had formed with a mission of shielding grieving families from the sight of Westboro protesters and their signs. There also was a new law on the books in Illinois meant to keep protesters at least 300 feet away from funerals.
“If anything, that would be the positive to come out of this,” Hennessy said.
Gary Schrock, state captain of the Patriot Guard Riders, said the nonprofit group has met Westboro protesters at about 75 funerals across the state since the organization was founded in 2005. He said volunteers, upon request, create a shoulder-to-shoulder flag line aimed at preventing mourners from seeing protests outside funerals and visitations.
Although Schrock said he objects morally to Westboro's efforts, he believes it's their right to protest.
“When I fought for our country back in Vietnam, I fought for all constitutional rights,” said Schrock, of Galesburg. “It's their right to freedom of speech and, quite frankly, these kids have died for their right to do that.”
For more information on the Illinois Patriot Guard Riders, visit www.ilpatriotguard.com.