UPDATE: Sgt. Weir funeral scheduled Monday, Tn soldier killed in Iraq

[Ghost in the Machine]

“My little brother has come home!” were the tearful words of older brother Chris Weir at an afternoon press conference Saturday announcing the arrival of the body of Sgt. David Weir from Iraq.

The slain soldier’s body was flown from Baghdad to Kuwait City and from there to Dover, Del. From Dover the body was flown to McGhee Tyson Air Base in Knoxville and transported to Fike Funeral Home in Cleveland. Chris Weir said the family was at the funeral home for the arrival and was able to view his brother’s body. He said the family has received a list of the medals his brother has received, including the Bronze Star. “There will be others I’m sure,” he said.

Saturday’s press conference was not only to announce the arrival of Sgt. Weir’s body but also for the family to address the probability a Kansas religious group will protest at Monday’s funeral. (emphasis mine)

Chris Weir said he did not want to address the church group’s plans but to say it’s their right to protest, which is one of the freedoms for which his brother was fighting. “They have the right to protest and express their views, but not here and not now,” he said. “Such a protest is irresponsible and disrespectful,” he continued. “They’re only looking for a venue for their faces for a cause.” The elder Weir brother cautioned Bradley County’s citizens not to respond to the protesters. “I hope the people of this community don’t go down to their level,” he said.

http://www.clevelandbanner.com/NF/omf/daily_banner/news_story.html?

[niyad]

1. will the PGR be there? just answered my own question by

looking at their website, and yes, they will be there.

[Ghost in the Machine]

2. PGR?

Is that the same group? I was thinking of the freedom riders, myself. I'm hoping some of them can get organized. I wish I would have had more notice on this as I could have gotten the word out sooner.

Sgt. Weir was a "friend of a friend", as it were. He was one of my friend's son's friends. Needless to say, I'll be there.. in the shadows.. and will help in any way I can if the Phelps freaks show up. They have it posted on their site that they plan to be there, also.

[niyad]

3. pgr--patriot guard riders--are you thinking of the same group?

[Ghost in the Machine]

4. yes, that's them... I just looked them up myself...

don't know why I had "Freedom Riders" stuck in my head... Thanks for setting me straight.

Patriot Guard Riders Confirmed Mission: http://patriotguard.org/Forums/tabid/61/forumid/11/postid/225052/view/topic/Default.aspx

[niyad]

5. when that group of sickos came here to protest the attemtped

formation of a gay-straight alliance club at one of our high schools, my friends and I brought out our "construction zone" set--all of us in hard hats, boots, vests, with HUGE traffic warning signs, "WARNING: DANGEROUS FANATICS AHEAD" posted at both ends of the protest. after the sickos left, we went to where they had been standing, and did a construction clean-up--big sweep brooms, LOTS of disinfectant. very effective for laughs.

[BrotherBuzz]

7. I was against the PGR before I was for them.

Cindy Sheehan lived in the next town over so she's a hot button issue in our area. A fallen soldier from her town had a huge funeral that included an escort from PGR. Local republican rag newspaper reported they were attending because it was reported Cindy was going to protest and the PGR was going to do their stuff (Never mind the fact she was 3,000 miles away at the time and has NEVER protested a military funeral). I was livid and did some snooping and fact gathering of my own and found the grieving family asked the PGR to attend and Cindy was never a factor. I also found out PGR will only attend if requested. My opinion of PGR grew, and surprise, the local republican rag never printed a retraction.

[Ghost in the Machine]

6. kicking ......

[Ghost in the Machine]

8. monday morning kick

please help keep this kicked up today in memory of Sgt Weir.

Thank you,

Ghost