Matthew Snyder, of Finksburg, Maryland, died from a non combat-related vehicle accident in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to Combat Service Support Group-1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California. Died on March 3, 2006. Matthew was 20 years old.

Matthew graduated from Westminster High School in 2003. After graduation, he enlisted in the Marines on October 14, 2003, and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. In August of 2004, Matthew was assigned to Combat Logistics Batallion-7, Twentynine Palms, Calif. as a generator mechanic.

The Westboro Baptist Church considers membership in most religious groups, such as the Roman Catholic Church or Islam, as akin to devil worship, and states these other churches to be "Satanic frauds preaching Arminian lies." All non-Christian entities, non-Protestant Christian churches, and all Protestant Christian churches that do not strongly condemn homosexuality are said to be sending their members to Hell.

The group bases its work around the belief expressed by its best known slogan and the address of its primary Web site, God Hates Fags, asserting that every tragedy in the world is linked to homosexuality—specifically society's increasing tolerance and acceptance of the so-called homosexual agenda. The group maintains that God hates gays above all other kinds of "sinners" and that homosexuality should be a capital crime.

Westboro claims that the Roman Catholic Church is a "fag" church and that a third of Catholic priests are active homosexuals, seducing helpless children and women; Westboro Baptist refers to priests as "vampires" and "Draculas" and talks of Catholic priests sucking semen out of children's genitals like vampires suck blood from their victims. In addition, WBC calls Pope Benedict XVI such epithets as "The Godfather of Pedophiles" and "Pervert Pope". In April 2008 the WBC protested Pope Benedict XVI during a papal visit in New York City.

Though the main purpose of the Priests Rape Boys website is to criticize Catholicism, the WBC also criticizes several mainline Protestant churches on the website, including, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Episcopalians and Baptists. The WBC explains that "their preachers have shirked their responsibility to tell people the truth about sin, and instead lie to them about what the Lord their God doth require of them. If these lying, false prophets told people the truth about what God says regarding those who suffer sin upon their neighbor (Lev. 19:17-18), there wouldn't be any butts in the seats when the plate got passed. These preachers are not preachers of righteousness, they are teachers having itching ears (2Tim 4:3), and they absolutely count on the abysmal bible illiteracy of their parishioners . . . “Priests rape boys” is indeed an air-tight, three word case against all of the mainline 'christian' churches - their preachers and members, without exception. They are all going to Hell!”

The WBC maintains a God Hates India website where they state that "80% of India’s population claim to practice Hinduism . . . A country full of idolatry inevitably results in a nation full of fags and fag-enablers, because that’s what happens when you depart from the Living God!"

In the section about Jews the WBC FAQ states: the only true Jews are Christians. The rest of the people who claim to be Jews aren't, and they are nothing more than typical, impenitent sinners … the vast majority of Jews support fags. In fact, it is the official policy of Reformed Jews to support same-sex marriage. Of course, there are Jews who still believe God's law, but most of them have even departed from that. It doesn't matter if you're a Jew or a Gentile…as long as you believe in Christ."

It was bad enough when two uniformed Marines approached Albert Snyder’s York, Pa., home in March of 2006 to deliver the news every military family dreads. Snyder’s 20-year-old son was killed while serving his country in Iraq.

Then came word that members of Westboro Baptist Church, a virulently anti-gay and anti-Catholic group based in Topeka, Kan., were making plans to protest the funeral at St. John in Westminster. The group, which demonstrates at military funerals across the country, believes the deaths of U.S. soldiers represent God’s punishment for the country’s acceptance of homosexuality.

Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder was not gay. He was remembered by friends and loved ones as a dedicated Marine who lost his life when his Humvee overturned in an accident in Al Anbar Province.

The Westboro church members made good on their promise.

While the family sought comfort in the church’s funeral rites inside St. John, a circus-like atmosphere prevailed outside as protestors waved signs with messages like “God hates fags,” “Matt in Hell” and “Pope in Hell.”

A SWAT team and local law enforcement were deployed and a command post was established to help prevent violence. Teachers at nearby St. John Catholic School drew the blinds and put the school in lockdown to prevent children from witnessing the ugly scene.

“It’s like you’re laying on the ground after being beaten and someone is now kicking you in the face,” Snyder remembered in a telephone interview with The Catholic Review.

Four years later, Snyder is on a mission to prevent what happened to his family from happening to anyone else’s.

Several months after the funeral, Snyder sued Fred Phelps, a disbarred lawyer and founder of the Westboro Baptist Church. He won an $11 million judgment that was later reduced to $5 million. That ruling was overturned in late 2009 when the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the protestors had a right to free speech. The court recently ordered Snyder to pay Phelps’ $16,000 court costs.

Fox News Channel Host Bill O’Reilly announced April 2 on his television show that he was donating that amount to help the Snyder cause. Donations have also been pouring in from across the country.

The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. If you share this respect, please join us.

We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives:

1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
2. Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.

We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.

To those of you who are currently serving and fighting for the freedoms of others, at home and abroad, please know that we are backing you. We honor and support you with every mission we carry out, and we are praying for a safe return home for all.