Accolades pour in for fallen RI soldier

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - If Army Sergeant Dennis P. Weichel Jr. were here today, his sister believes he would make the fateful decision that took his life, once again.

The soldier from Rhode Island was killed in a non-combat related incident in Afghanistan.

• RI soldier killed in Afghanistan

SGT. Dennis P. Weichel Jr., 29, of Providence, died on March 22, 2012 in Laghman province.

Weichel, a father of three, was overseas supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sharlene Benjamin isn't surprised to hear about her little brother's selfless act of bravery. She says this is just the kind of guy he was.

Weichel was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment, 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island National Guard in East Greenwich. He and a group of other guardsmen were in a convoy in northern Afghanistan on March 22, when they noticed a group of children in the road blocking their vehicles.

They all got out to move the children, and most of them walked away. But, one little girl went back to pick up shell casings.

"The child lived because of my brother," said Sharlene Benjamin, sister of SGT . Weichel .

SGT. Weichel saw a 16-ton truck barring down on the girl, so he moved her out of the way. Yet, he ended up getting hit by the truck.

"When I heard the story, that didn't surprise me at all. That's my brother," said Benjamin.

The accolades for Weichel's bravery have been pouring in.

"Dennis' actions in defense of the lives of vulnerable civilians, embody the most noble spirit, service, sacrifice and loyalty," said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, (D) Rhode Island.

Governor Lincoln Chafee has ordered the flags lowered to half staff in honor of SGT. Weichel.

“Specialist Dennis Weichel’s life was marked by bravery, selflessness, and commitment to others – and unfortunately it was in demonstrating these remarkable characteristics that it was lost. Specialist Weichel will be remembered by his fellow soldiers and commanding officers as a dedicated member of the Rhode Island National Guard."

Chafee continued, "He will be remembered by friends and family as a devoted father to Nicholas, Hope, and Madison and a beloved son to Linda and Dennis. And he will be remembered, and mourned, by people across our state as a great Rhode Islander. Specialist Weichel will be deeply missed, and his loved ones are in my thoughts during this difficult time. I hope that they are able to find some comfort in their many fine memories of him.”

Sergeant Weichel's body is scheduled to arrive back in Rhode Island Friday night at 9 p.m.. His wake will be held Sunday, April 1 at the Olson an Parent Funeral Home on Plainfield Street in Providence from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The funeral will be held Monday at Swan Point Cemetery Chapel, but the National Guard said seating will be limited there. Sergeant Weichel will be laid to rest at The Veterans Cemetery in Exeter.

Sergeant Weichel has been posthumously awarded with the Bronze Star, the nation’s fourth highest award for bravery, the Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, and the NATO Service Medal.

He has also been awarded the Rhode Island Star, the state’s second highest military award.

Sergeant Weichel was also posthumously promoted to that rank on March 26, 2012.