Lawrence Parrish laid to rest

The long established plans for the Golden Days Fall Fest, a day of celebration in Stover this past weekend, were dramatically altered on Oct. 7, 2006.

On that day in Iraq, half a world away, a cowardly attack claimed the life of one of our own. On Oct. 21, we laid to rest Larry Parrish, a friend, a neighbor and the father of five.

On Saturday morning our school parking lot normally filled during happy events, Christmas programs, ball games and the like, was the meeting place for mourners, quiet solemn family members and friends, a large contingency of Patriot Bikers,? several military people and reporters.

With flags in hand, the patriot bikers stood in formation either side of the driveway leading to the school. With Cub Conner in his Navy cap among their ranks, they waited patiently to ensure respectful passage of the long white hearse carrying the body of Larry Parrish.

I didn't know Larry personally but I know many like him, young military people who voluntarily put their lives on the line to protect others. Larry was in Iraq fighting a growing force of Islamic radicals who believe we will prevent them from fulfilling their ultimate goal of destroying Israel.

These extremists have demonstrated the ability to kill indiscriminately to promote their cause.

Unfortunately, our efforts to stop them have resulted in the tragic loss of thousands of young lives.

Regardless of whether we agree or disagree with this President's plan to deal with this threat, the simple truth is if we don't defeat this enemy now, our children will have to meet them on the battlefield in the future when they are better organized and better armed.

I salute the fine men and women in the armed forces today. Unfortunately, I can't find words to adequately express how saddened I am by the sacrifice of this young man.

After witnessing this very moving show of support for our fallen soldier, I went around the corner to witness the picketing display by the members of the Westboro Baptist Church from Topeka, Kan.

This 'congregation' has voiced their hatred for the United States at several military funerals as well as in New York shortly after the attack on the world trade center.

They claimed the seven astronauts of the space shuttle Columbia are in Hell because they did not speak out against homosexuality.

I don't believe these people (claiming to act on the word of God) are any better than the Islamic fundamentalists who maim and kill innocent people in the name of Allah.

Fortunately, the good people of Stover (and a few of those wonderful 'bikers') demonstrated amazing restraint by not stomping the hell out of these sick individuals.

However, I do firmly believe that had we lost control and let our emotions take over, guys like Larry Parrish would have been the first to risk their own safety and even their lives to protect and defend these hate mongers right to free speech under the U.S. Constitution. I doubt they would have appreciated it.

I regret joining their audience.

With our deepest sympathies to the Parrish family from the Rinehart family.

From the Lake Sun Leader

Related Link:
Lawrence Parrish killed by improvised explosive device