Posted on 09/23/2006 6:46:44 PM PDT by Chaos
Weir Family Speaks Out About Potential Protests
Angela Lee
September 23,2006
As family and friends of Sergeant David Weir prepare to say their final good-byes. They make one final statement for our camera. Sergeant David Weir died while serving in the 101st Airborne September 13th. Sergeant Weir's funeral is set to take place Monday. In the wake of his final farewell, a Kansas church group has announced their intent to protest outside of the funeral. The church says the deaths of U.S. soldiers in Iraq are “an angry God's say of punishing American's acceptance of homosexuality”. Saturday, Sergeant Weir's brother Chris tells NewsChannel9 his brother died protecting freedom. Chris Weir says while people are free to express their opinions, is unique and comes with responsibility. He says, “There is a time and a place for everything. Express your views. It is your right – but not here and not now.” With the threat of protester's presence, the Weir's call out to all who would like to honor Sergeant David Weir, to not retaliate or acknowledge the protest... But to honor Sergeant David Weir and his family by coming and lining Cleveland's streets with flags and banners of thanks.
Rachel Remele
September 22,2006
Line the streets to salute a fallen soldier. That's what a Cleveland woman wants you to do this Monday during the funeral procession for Sergeant David Weir. The Cleveland native was killed in Iraq last week. Karen Kyle is planning what she calls a massive show of support during the funeral procession along 25-th Street in Cleveland. Kyle urges people to line the street by 1:15 Monday, when Weir's body will be en route to the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
This is my home town. This has been a sad time for our community. I will be there Monday to honor this fallen soldier. Hope some other freepers can make it.
Note: Article was copy and pasted as is from the website. Please bump through Monday.
bump
Oh, THEM AGAIN???!!!
Those people ought to get jobs. I don't know how they can afford to go taking trips to all these places without working.
These people are beyond sick and despicable. Boggles the mind.
Karen is a lady in our community who is trying to get as many people as possible to show up and support this family. Hope some of you close by can make it.
BTTT
I've always thought Phelp's so called "church" is really group of homosexual "agents provocateur" attempting to discredit Christians.
From wikipedia ... provocateurs deliberately carry out or seek to incite counter-productive and/or ineffective acts, in order to foster public disdain for the group and provide a pretext for aggression;
Powder..Patch..Ball FIRE!
Where is Rolling Thunder? Someone needs to contact them...
Excuse me?? What does this have to do with his death. He fought proudly and died as do many of our soldiers. Where do they get off saying something like this?
They are disgusting.........
Sorry that image is so small. It's the photo of the Phelps with the Gores.
bttt
If I were thirty years younger, I would go there and beat the living crap out of Fred Phelps. It would be worth spending a couple of months in jail.
scramble, scramble, scramble
Put me down for a couple months too.
How Gay!
FWIW: The jerks from Kansas have gotten permits in several locations lately and then not shown up. I hope that happens here as well.
I'm confused about the ATTN: Tenn part -- is the funeral in OH or TN?
A little more on Sgt Weir. Go to www.bradleyweekly.com to view some photo's.
Cleveland Mourns Death of Young Solider In Iraq
by B. Jay Johnson
The battle for freedom in Iraq hit home this week. Flags fly at half-staff across Cleveland and Bradley County to honor the memory of Army specialist David Weir. The 24-year old solider was killed last Thursday in Baghdad in what U.S. military officials describe as a running gun battle with insurgents with alleged ties to Al-Qaeda.
Late Monday night during a telephone conversation with Bradley News, Sergeant Weir's father said the military had provided him with some limited details surrounding the circumstances of his son's death. "I was told that David went above and beyond the call of duty during the attack," said Lynn Weir.
Weir also revealed that his son's body was on its way home and could be back in Bradley County in two to four days.
Weir also shared with the Bradley News details of an intimate conversation he had with his son. "Here's what he told me," said Weir: "Look at the streets of Baghdad on TV. Do you want the streets here in the United States to look the same way?" Weir said there was no question his son was proud to be in Iraq fighting for our freedom.
On the day Weir was killed, he reportedly spoke with his brother, Chris, on the telephone. Chris Weir said his brother told him it had been another violent day in Baghdad and that he had just been caught in the crossfire of a mortar attack apparently aimed at another group of U.S. soldiers. Military officials say just four hours after that phone conversation, the insurgents struck again. Tragically, Sergeant David Weir had become the latest U.S. casualty in Iraq.
David Weir had just re-enlisted and his promotion to sergeant had been scheduled to take effect October 1 but the Army awarded the rank posthumously. Weir entered the Army in February of 2004. He was a member of the 101st Airborne Division stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
All across the Cleveland area, people are talking about the young husband and father whose life was taken so soon. Sergeant Weir is also being remembered at stores and businesses.
At Cooke's Food Store on Keith Street the marquis out front usually informs shoppers of special buys and what's on sale -- but not this week. Instead, the sign pays tribute to the fallen hometown hero.
The store had displayed an American flag to mark the fifth anniversary of 9/11 last Monday. Store managers say it will now stay in place a while longer out of respect to Sergeant Weir and his family. "When we heard about his death," says Sharon Smith, "we were glad we hadn't taken it down."
Smith says she is deeply saddened by the young soldier's death. She, too, has a son who has served in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Ray Henderson is now back at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.
"I picked up the phone and called him immediately after hearing about it," she says. She wanted to know whether he knew Sergeant Weir. He told her he didn't.
David Weir was the middle of five children born to Lynn and Jackie Weir. He leaves behind wife Allyson and their 18-month-old son, Gavin.
Sergeant Weir was a 2001 graduate of Bradley Central High School and was a member of the Bears' football team. He wore number 24. That jersey will be on display when the high school holds a memorial service for Weir at 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 20 at Bear Stadium.
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