RAEFORD, NC – On Saturday, members of the Westboro Baptist Church picketed the military funeral of a gay non-commissioned officer, US Army Sgt. Donna Johnson, 29, who was among 14 people killed October 1 in a suicide bomber attack in Afghanistan.

Hundreds of people showed up at the event to prevent the attempt by Westboro members to disrupt the memorial service. According to local television station ABC 11, when one of the Westboro congregation tried to stamp upon the American flag, a military service member physically rushed the individual, preventing the flag desecration.

Last week, Westboro member Jonathan Phelps, a relative of church founder Fred Phelps, told radio host David Pakman that he “absolutely” supports the concept of putting gays to death.