His funeral gained nationwide media attention when the deranged Westboro Baptist Church announced plans to disrupt the funeral with one of their anti-gay protest. Big mistake!
Within days of a very well organized social media campaign led by musician Kevin Montgomery, thousands of strangers, all patriots and supporters, came out to shield Kevin’s family and friends from these protesters.
In conjunction with the Clay family and owners of Nashville MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), we came out to support the supporters and document their efforts. Nashville MMA handed out ice water and donated their air conditioned tour bus giving supporters a cool place to rest from the 90F heat. The MMA training facilities manager, Tim Clay, coordinated the efforts with the blessing of his brother, and primary owner of Nashville MMA, Ed Clay. A close family, their parents came on board immediately. Regina and Tim Clay Sr., actually met while both serving in the Army, she as a nurse and he as an ambulance driver. They married 7 weeks after meeting and will celebrate their 39th anniversary this year.
We met some amazing people and a LOT of bikers. According to Army Vietnam Vet and biker, Sid “Skip” Spencer, a 1,000 motorcyclist from different groups and chapters were in attendance including; The Outlaws, Bikers for Christ, New Attitudes, Keltics, Rough Riders, US Military MC, Leathernecks, Vietnam Vets, Blue Knights and Tribe of Judah.
When asked if anyone had anything to say to Kevin’s family, Rough Neck biker Terry Corn summed up the common theme:“We appreciate your son’s ultimate sacrifice and so deeply sorry for your loss. It is an honor to be here and we support you.”
For Biker Gloria Reece, who is also battling MS, this was the 2nd day braving the heat in her ongoing support of Kevin’s family. She along with 150 other motorcyclist went to Smyrna Airfield on Saturday and escorted the casket to the Nashville funeral home.
In the end, only three Westboro Baptist protesters arrived. Due to permits and ordinances, they had to remain 500 feet away from the church property. They weren’t there long though. They fled in a cab before the funeral even started. They would have driven away in their own cars, but mysteriously, their car tires had gone flat;-)
Additional pictures:
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