Tennessee: Family’s second son deploys to Iraq

Pfc. Chris Weir’s journey to Iraq won’t be a lonely one.

When he finally leaves for the war zone in December, he’ll carry with him the spirit of his younger brother David, who was killed there in 2006.

And he’ll be enfolded in the love and support his relatives and friends have been showering on him since he joined the Army last summer to finish what Sgt. David Weir had started.

Pfc. Weir will receive a communitywide sendoff today at the Waterville Baptist Church in Cleveland, Tenn., says his mother, Jackie Weir.

“People have put it in their church bulletins and announced it all around the (Bradley County) courthouse,” she said. “I’m so thankful they’re doing this for Chris because I know how important it was for David to give him encouragement (before he deployed).”

But Pfc. Weir’s party brings encouragement to a new level, she added. News of the family’s second deployment drew the attention of U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn.

Rep. Wamp said he rearranged his pre-election campaign schedule to make an appearance at the sendoff party today in order to show his support.

“I’m honoring (Sgt. Weir’s) sacrifice for our freedom, and I’m honoring (Pfc. Weir’s) call to service,” he said. “There are people that give a brother or son or daughter to our country, and then they retreat and get angry. The Weir family continues their commitment and carries the work of this great nation forward.”

Pfc. Weir will have a month of leave before returning to Fort Campbell, Ky., to prepare for deployment. He said he is humbled and excited by today’s festivities, to which anyone and everyone is welcome.

“I joined for a very patriotic reason — to help protect my neighbors,” he said. “So the fact that they all want to come out and support me makes it all worthwhile.”