Politics & Government

'Heaven Needs an Army Too': The Funeral of Justin Whitmire

Friends and family gather today to lay a fallen soldier to rest, but a protest from a fringe hate group threatens the loving tribute.

Upstate Patch editors Shawn Drury and Carolyn Farr Smith bring you live coverage of today's services honoring PFC Justin Whitmire, which are scheduled to take place at Simpsonville First Baptist Church.

Westboro Baptist Church, with its history of hatred and protests, plans to have six people at the event.

But hundreds of community members also plan to come out to show their support of the soldier and his family.

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