Service for Yucaipa Soldier Killed in Combat Targeted by Extremist Church

People from a controversial Kansas church known for protesting at military funerals and for their extremist stands against homosexuality plan to "preach" their message Friday before the scheduled memorial service for Army Pfc. Nathan Tyler Davis.

Davis, 20, of Yucaipa was fatally injured June 9 in Tore Obeh, Afghanistan, when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb during combat operations, the Defense Department reported last week.

The memorial service for Davis is scheduled to begin 1 p.m. Friday at Yucaipa Christian Church, 12954 Bryant St. Burial service is scheduled at Sunnyslope Cemetery, 40 S. Pennsylvania Ave. in Beaumont.

According to the Westboro Baptist Church website and a press release, people representing Westboro Baptist intend to gather at 10:15 a.m. "in respectful, lawful proximity" to the memorial service at Yucaipa Christian Church.

"Military funerals have become pagan orgies of idolatrous blasphemy, where they pray to the dunghill gods of Sodom & play taps to a fallen fool," a press release from Westboro Baptist Church representatives states.

"The Lord no longer builds the American house; nor does the Lord watch over and protect America," the Westboro release says. "These soldiers are dying for the homosexual and other sins of America. God is now America's enemy, and God Himself is fighting against America. . . . Thank God for IEDs."

Westboro Baptist officials did not respond Wednesday to phone and email messages seeking comment. The church claims to be based in Topeka, Kansas.

Some residents in Yucaipa and Beaumont have seen the press release and they have re-distributed it in their efforts to organize counter-protests.

Cherry Valley resident and Vietnam War veteran Steven Hallbert, 65, said Wednesday evening he is outraged by the prospect of a protest during services for a fallen soldier. Hallbert said he served in the Air Force in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968.

"I joined the Patriot Guard today and they are going to escort the family the entire way," Hallbert said. "As you know I am a Vietnam Vet and I haven't been this upset since I was called a 'baby killer' after returning home from Vietnam. . . . I feel so much for this family."

The Patriot Guard is a national motorcycle club whose members attend military funeral services and "shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors." They adhere to strictly legal and non-violent means, according to the Patriot Guard website.

Banning resident Mark Turner also contacted Redlands-Loma Linda Patch and Banning-Beaumont Patch.

"I agree with freedom of speech, but this is a little ridiculous," Turner said.

Turner said he's alerted the VFW and American Legion and hopes others will show up to the service to counter the church's objective.

Beaumont Councilman David Castaldo posted two messages on various Facebook pages on Tuesday. The first message reads:

"This Friday, June 22, the funeral procession of a fallen hero will be passing through Beaumont. On June 9, US Army Spc Nathan Tyler Davis of Yucaipa was killed in Afghanistan from a roadside explosive. He will be laid to rest next to his grandfather at Sunnyslope Cemetary. Services are at 1:00 pm in Yucaipa, the expected time in Beaumont is 2:00 to 3:00 pm. The procession will be traveling east on 6th Street, then south on Pennsylvania. Please show your support for our local hero and wave a flag in his honor along the route to his final resting place. Please pass or share this message on to everyone you know in the Pass."

The second message, posted one hour later, reads:

"ATTENTION IS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY: The buttholes of Wesbro (sic) church plan on protesting in Yucaipa on Friday at the memorial of Yucaipa hero Tyler Davis who will be laid to rest at Sunnyslope Cemetary in Beaumont. It appears that the Noisy Butt Fire Truck will be visiting Yucaipa on Friday playing some very patriotic tunes on the Caliope. Please remember that the manufacturer of the Caliope states that it can be heard a quarter of a mile away. Ain't no degenerate butthole illegimate SOB gonna be louder than me. God Bless America and the men and women that fight and die for our country."

Davis was assigned to the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. His remains were returned to the U.S. on June 11.

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