Bradley County to salute fallen hero

Weir Tribute at Bear Stadium Wednesday Evening

by Rich Dinsmore, Managing Editor

  Cleveland and Bradley County will pause Wednesday evening, September 20, to pay tribute to Sergeant David Weir, recently killed in action during a firefight with insurgents in Baghdad, Iraq.

  Family, friends and the community at large will gather at 7:00pm in Bear Stadium at Bradley Central High School for a tribute to SGT Weir, a BCHS 2001 graduate, and member of the famed 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based in Fort Campbell, KY.

  SGT Weir was mortally wounded last Thursday, September 14 (Iraq local), while on a security mission to round-up a dozen suspected Al-Qaeda terrorists in Baghdad. A medic, responding to Weir to treat his injuries, was also wounded in the action.

  “The family has requested a private funeral service,” said Weir’s brother Chris, “so we thought a public service for the community would be appropriate. The community has been so gracious and compassionate to us since this happened that we felt we should let them participate in a public service for our brother, who was, obviously loved by hundreds of people here in Cleveland and Bradley County.”

  The service has turned into a tribute to the memory, service and sacrifice of SGT Weir, and will give area residents the opportunity to not only participate in the event, but to meet and personally extend condolences to the Weir family, who have stated that they want to make themselves available to everyone in Bradley County who wants to share a David Weir story, or a moment with the family reflecting on what the defense of freedom really means, and the costs that are paid.

  The evening will begin with the gates and parking opening to the public at about 5:30pm at Bradley Central high School. The evening’s activities, so far, will be as follows:

OPENING: Master of Ceremonies Steve Hartline, Tennessee’s Mix 104.1 FM Radio (WCLE-FM)

POSTING OF THE NATIONAL COLORS: Apache Troop, 278^th Regimental Combat Team, (formerly ACR), Tennessee Army National Guard, Cleveland/Bradley Armory.

NATIONAL ANTHEM: Megan Roberts, family & friend

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE: Tayrn Burgraff, 10-years old, David Weir’s niece & Bo Still, Apache Troop, 278^th Regimental Combat Team (formerly ACR), Tennessee Army National Guard, Cleveland/Bradley Armory.

INVOCATION: Pastor Gwinn Green, Kinser Church of God

CITY & COUNTY PROCLAMATION: Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland & Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis

SPEAKERS: Eric Watson, State Representative; Dewayne Bunch, State Representative

MUSIC: “God Bless the USA” – Oak Grove Elementary School Show Choir featuring Lucas Parker

SPEAKERS: David’s teachers: Oak Grove Elementary; Trewhitt Junior; Bradley Central High schools

REMARKS: Marc Whitmire, life-long best friend of SGT David Weir

FAMILY ADDRESS: Chris Weir, David’s older brother will speak on behalf of the family – Lynn (Father), Jackie (Mother), Missy (Sister), Timothy (Brother), and Jeffery (Brother), and others.

LOWERING OF THE NATIONAL COLORS: Apache Troop, 278^th Regimental Combat Team (formerly ACR), Tennessee Army National Guard, Cleveland/Bradley Armory.

MUSIC: “Amazing Grace” – TBA

21-GUN SALUTE (Funeral Volley): Chattanooga Military Funeral Honors Detail, 196^th Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard.

TAPS: Mr. Rick Donegan, SGT Weir’s music teacher at Oak Grove Elementary and Trewhitt Junior High schools.

BENEDICTION: Pastor Gwinn Green, Kinser Church of God.

INVITATION TO MEET THE WEIR FAMILY: Attendees are invited to come onto the field and see pictures and other mementos of David Weir, see a video tribute to SGT Weir produced by Oak Grove Elementary School, and meet the Weir Family.

  The order of events listed above are subject to change. In the event of rain, the event may be moved indoors to the Jim Smiddy Arena, next to Bear Stadium.

  There is no charge for attending the event or for parking; however, donations will be taken for the “David Weir Memorial Fund.” The fund has been created to provide David’s son Gavin with a financial base for college or career establishment and enhancement as he graduates high school and begins his life as an adult. The fund will be administered by Southern Heritage Bank in Cleveland and donations can be sent to: David Weir Memorial Fund, PO Box 4730, Cleveland, TN., 37320-4730.