Controversial Church Plans To Protest Soldier's Funeral

Members of a Kansas-based church group, that opposes homosexuality, plan to protest at the Tuesday funeral of the 25-year-old Fairborn High School graduate who was killed in Afghanistan two weeks ago, the church announced on its website

Members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., will protest Army Spc. Jesse Snow's funeral. The church travels the country protesting soldiers' funeral and other events.

Snow’s military funeral will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Mary, Help of Christians Parish, 954 N. Maple Ave. A public viewing will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Fairborn High School.

The Westboro Baptist Church has protested in Ohio and the Miami Valley several times, including at Meadowdale High School and The Ohio State University. The group is known for their graphic signs and slogans.

The Snow family says Jesse Snow died protecting the group's right to protest.

"My son Jesse reawakened everyone, saying 'This is what's important in life.' There is no curse from God. God actually blessed us," Jesse Snow's father John Snow, Sr. said.

Jesse Snow's brother said he's disappointed the group chose his brother's funeral to protest.

"My first reaction was anger. Nobody wants the memory of their loved ones disgraced. But they're showing the world that there's a reason why he passed away," John Snow, Jr. said.

The Westboro Baptist Church also picketed at the funeral of Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, the pregnant Vandalia resident who was killed by another Marine.