Protesters fail to show, but Patriot Guard is there
Instead, the streets leading to the Calvary Chapel, 460 W. Century Drive (4380 South) and to the cemetery near Camp Williams near Redwood Road, were lined with more than 100 members of the Patriot Guard Riders all holding American flags.
An estimated 130 bikers who served or currently serve in the military showed up in force to block out any possible protest by members of the Westboro Baptist Church.
"We will not allow (a protest) to happen," said Bruce Clements, associate captain of the Utah chapter of the guard.
The Westboro Baptist Church has made headlines in recent years for holding protests at military funerals. The group had promised on its Web site it would show up at Galvez's funeral.
Church member Shirley Phelps-Roper said none of Westboro's 70 members could attend Wednesday's funeral because soldiers are dying so "fast and furious." The Department of Defense so far this week has identified 10 military members who died in Iraq this week, including another Utahn, Army Pvt. Dan Dolan of Roy.
"We would love to be at all of these funerals to help people connect the dots," Phelps said on the phone from Topeka.
As a consequence, "You've got the wrath of God pouring out on your head," she said.
Phelps said her group targets military funerals to send a message to parents of dead soldiers that they sent their children into the "cross-hairs of a raging God," adding, "Our message is for the living."
With a steady breeze Wednesday, American flags lining the street waved and blocked out anything behind them. If a group had shown up and its protests had gotten too loud, Clements said his group would have simply all started up their Harleys and drowned them out.
"We understand they have a right to protest. There is a time and a place for everything. ... This is not the time," he said.
Clements said his group was at the funeral to honor and show respect to their fallen comrade and to protect the Galvez family from having to see or hear the "despicable" people from Westboro. It was a way to pay back a man who has "given his all for our safety," he said.
Clements said if the group had shown up there would not have been any verbal or physical confrontations.
"They are not worth our time. They are not worth our energy," he said.
Other bikers, however, who participated in the show of honor, were ready for more.
"Our group is prepared to go to jail if we have to," said a vet who called himself "Bad Load." "This is the last place they should be picketing. The only reason they're able to protest is because of our kids fighting over there (in Iraq)."
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