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The burials at Arlington National Cemetery are becoming interconnected.
On May 29, Cpl. Christopher Murphy of Gladys, Va., was buried. He was killed in an ambush on May 12 in Iraq.
A week later, it was Cpl. Joseph Anzack Jr. of Torrance, Calif. He was captured in the same ambush. His body was found floating in the Euphrates River 11 days later.
Today, Staff Sgt. Joseph Weiglein of Audubon, N.J., was laid to rest. He was killed by a roadside bomb on May 29 while searching for two other soldiers captured in that ambush.
Several busloads of Weiglein's friends came down from New Jersey to pay final respects to the man known affectionately back home as "Sergeant Joe."
"He was the boy next door," Donald Borden, Weiglein's high school history teacher, told the Newark Star-Ledger. "Just a great kid."
Weiglein was home on leave in January. He visited Haviland Avenue Elementary School to thank the kids for sending Tastycakes, beef jerky, and Christmas ornaments to his unit in Iraq.
"It was like the kids were greeting a rock star," principal Carleene Slowik told KYW Newsradio.
Weiglein stayed until all their questions were answered. Where do you live in Iraq? What do you do there? What do you eat? Where do you sleep? What's the weather like?
"He was our hero," Slowik told KYW.
When Weiglein died, Audubon went into mourning.
"There's a lot of hugging going on," Slowik told the Star-Ledger. "A lot of sad kids."
To honor Weiglein, American flags were placed on every lawn in Audubon, nearly 3,000 of them. Beside each flag was a paper placard with Weiglein's photo and an inscription: "Our neighbor. Our friend. Our family. Our hero."
Joseph Weiglein is survived by his widow, his parents, his two sisters, and the other 9,041 residents of Audubon. He would have turned 32 on Wednesday.
Photo caption: Children and teachers from Haviland Elementary School stand in silence during the funeral procession of Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Weiglein in Audubon, N.J., on June 6, 2007. (AP Photo/Tim Larsen)
Editor's note: As a special to The Daily Nightly, John is attending every public military burial held at Arlington National Cemetery. A Vietnam veteran who earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service, John is also a 28-year veteran of NBC News.
We invite you to share the stories of other fallen military personnel either in personal remembrance and reflection or through public funeral or memorial announcements. All verifiable submissions for servicemen and -women who died in combat are welcome, as are photos of the deceased. Click here to submit yours.
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It's that time of year again
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. My husband proudly serves in Iraq with the 10th Mountain. He is part of 2nd Brigade. I am in Washington D.C. visiting and was at Arrlinton today. I wore my 10th Mountain pin and walked around the newer grave stones and was so overcome with saddness. I will never forget what they gave their lives for, NEVER! Climb to Glory. Your commando family will always remember you and thank you for your sacrafice.
Cindy, Fort Drum,NY (Sent Jul 6, 2007 10:12:34 PM)
God bless to you and to all the men and women in service. Thank you for keeping us safe!
Ha, Oklahoma City, Ok (Sent Jun 14, 2007 9:55:57 AM)
Thank you to all of our troops for your service. You all make this world a much better place and because of you I am proud to be an American.
Kristy, Connecticut (Sent Jun 13, 2007 12:46:38 PM)
Hey
I knew Joey from School an town! Sooo soo sorry to hear this about him! He was a really good guy! He passed away a HERO! God Bless Joe an his family!
He is in Heaven! To any of Joes family who may see this I send my deepest sympathy to you all! Your in my familys prayers! God Bless
Paul S...
Ps I thank God for men like Joe fighting for our safety etc. Such a Hero in my eyes! Never will take our flag for granted!
paul, florida (Sent Jun 11, 2007 1:07:51 AM)
God bless you Sergeant Joe. You were called home because God needed another Soldier and Hero in his eternal guard. To his parents, family and obvious extended family he will never be far from your thoughts. He is in everything you see, hear and touch.Thank you Lord for Men and Women like him who protect our way of life with no questions asked. God bless them all and bring them home safe. My own son is on his 2nd tour in Anbar province and I know the anticipation that grips us 24 hours a day. May the Lord comfort you and hold you in this time of sorrow.
In the words of my son and Joes brother in arms.
Semper Fi, always faithful USMC
God Bless
Miike Greenwell, Tucson AZ (Sent Jun 9, 2007 1:02:32 PM)
Godspeed Sergeant Joe, and all those who have lost their lives in Iraq, soldier and civilian alike. Godspeed.
Linda, Olympia, WA (Sent Jun 8, 2007 7:04:25 PM)
Rest, brothers. You've earned in a hundredfold. We'll take it from here.
Chris, Plainfield, CT (OIF veteran) (Sent Jun 8, 2007 6:06:43 PM)
My thoughts and prayers go out to my fallen brothers and sisters in arms. May your family and friends know that your service to all of us is greatly appreciated. You all will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
Scott, San Diego (Sent Jun 8, 2007 5:44:13 PM)
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