The funeral of Lance Corporal Darin Settle will be attended by loved ones mourning the loss of a fallen soldier. The funeral may also be attended by a church with a different purpose.
The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., says it plans to stage a non-violent protest outside of the memorial service at Eugene High School.
Cole County Sheriff Greg White says it's ironic that Lance Corporal Settle died defending the rights of the people protesting at his funeral.
"They are exercising the rights of that he died defending, and for us to do anything other than honor what he was doing brings shame to us. So I think certainly we'll do everything we can just to maintain the peace and dignity of this county."
White also says that law enforcement will attend the funeral in Eugene. Highway patrol and capitol police will also be assisting the event.
The Westboro Baptist Church has come to protest at soldier funerals around the country. The Church believes that the war in Iraq is God's punishment for the United States acceptance of the gay community.
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