The Kansas church that uses military funerals to protest America's acceptance of gays promises not to quit despite losing a lawsuit, and Central Illinois veterans vow to keep up their efforts to keep the protesters at bay.

Area veterans said Thursday they will continue to support the families of fallen troops and, when necessary, drown out the shouts of Westboro Baptist Church protesters with revved-up motorcycles.

In Baltimore, the father of a Marine killed in Iraq won an $11 million verdict Wednesday for invasion of privacy and deliberate infliction of emotional distress.

Westboro founder Fred W. Phelps Sr. said he welcomed the publicity the lawsuit brings. "It's going to be reversed in five minutes," the Baltimore Sun quoted him as saying of the verdict.

Westboro protests prompted Illinois to pass a law in 2006 to limit such activity.

The Let Them Rest in Peace Act, requires protesters to remain at least 200 feet away from a funeral site for 30 minutes before and after the ceremony. Protesters cannot make disruptive noises, display inappropriate signs or block an entrance to the funeral site.

The protests also have given rise to a network of military personnel and veterans who band together to respond.

Terry Woodburn of Heyworth is a Patriot Rider, which along with the Patriot Guard shields families of fallen soldiers from Westboro protesters during funerals and visitations. Of about a half-dozen funerals Woodburn has attended, Westboro members have protested at one.

When Westboro doesn't show, the Riders are there to honor the comrade and the family, he said.

"We make as much noise as we have to with the bikes," said Woodburn. He admits it is tempting to do more. "You just want to jump off and really go at 'em."

Phelps and followers, based in Topeka, Kan., blame war deaths on America's acceptance of gays and also protests homosexuality in other venues.

Among non-war protests conducted by the group was a 2004 walk outside the Electrolux office in Bloomington. Electrolux is Swedish-owned, and the government of Sweden jailed a man for anti-gay activity.

Mere rumor of Westboro members coming activates groups.

Paul Kerby worked on Ron Gebur's funeral in Pekin. Gebur was killed in 2006 in Iraq.

As commander of AmVets Post 235, Kerby saw to the honor guard and other details. The Patriot Guard, he said, lined shoulder to shoulder around the funeral home "and they definitely weren't going to let any those people in."

The Patriots also stood watch at the cemetery.

"The AmVets and the Patriot Guard will be there as long as there are veterans who are dying," Kerby said.