Local Marine laid to rest
St. Charles West grad died in combat
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| Lance Cpl. Drew Weaver |
Lance Cpl. Drew Weaver, who graduated from St. Charles West High School in 2005, was 20 years old when a gunman's bullet took his life during a firefight in Iraq's Al Anbar province in late February. Weaver was the second St. Charles native to be killed in action since fighting started there in 2003.
"The question needs to be asked, what can we learn from Drew Weaver and the other young men and women like him who have given their lies for their country?" Rev. James J. Benz said in a written copy of his homily for Weaver's funeral Mass on Friday. "I think we can learn from them that the freedom we enjoy in this country is precious that it is special that it must be preserved sometimes at great personal cost."News crews were asked not to attend the Mass out of respect for Weaver's family.
More than 700 people attended Weaver's funeral and scores of people lined the streets of the procession route.
Flags throughout St. Charles County flew at half-staff on Friday to honor the fallen Marine.
"Drew is a true hero. He was very well liked by so many people throughout our community," Mayor Patti York said Friday. "He volunteered his time for our country and gave the ultimate sacrifice for his community. I'm very proud of him."
People throughout the community attended Weaver's funeral and burial service.
"We're here just to show our respect," Dan Ross said Friday. "I lost a good friend of mine in Vietnam and St. Charles has lost someone special in Iraq. I never knew him but I'm here to honor the sacrifice he made."
Weaver's casket arrived at Lambert International Airport Wednesday morning. His brother, Navy Petty Officer Jeff Weaver, and best friend, Marine Cpl. Ryan Hanson, were on the plane escorting Weaver's remains.
Marine Sgt. Casey Fulton has stepped in to speak for the Weaver family, who did not wish to speak with news organizations as they mourn.
"It' been a long few days for us," Fulton said Friday. "It's been a longer few days, which will turn into weeks, for Drew's family. After the funeral, is when things become very hard. That's when things really set in and you know it will never be the same."
Hanson and Weaver joined up together and were in basic training side by side. Hanson was pulled from duty to "escort his best friend home," Fulton said.
According to Fulton, Weaver was patrolling the streets in Al Anbar province with members of C Company 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion when Iraqi gunmen fired upon his unit.
"Drew Weaver was fatally shot while engaging the enemy," Fulton said. "He gave the ultimate sacrifice."
Patrolling the streets of Iraqi communities is part of the standard routine for Marines in Iraq. Fulton said the patrols ensure there is a visible presence and are instrumental in keeping the peace.
Weaver was remembered for his positive attitude and sense of humor and dedication to his country.
"He truly believed in what he was doing over there," Ken Mayer, a school resource officer at St. Charles West High School said Friday.
"I remember when he decided to join the Marines while he was a student here," Mayer said. "When he came back from basic training, I asked him if this was what he wanted to do. He said 'absolutely.' I'm proud of him. He's a hero to me."
Many of his classmates are still in shock over the young Marine's death.
"We're shocked," said former classmate Sarah Cullen as she and her friends walked from Weaver's gravesite. "You never expect this to happen to people you know. We have an angel watching over us now."
"It's like this isn't real," Tiffany Roseman chimed in. "You didn't have to have a class with Drew to know him. Everybody did."
Terry Oetting, the school activities director at St. Charles West said Weaver's death as affected everyone.
"He was really well liked," he said. "I wish it didn't have to happen to someone so young. Our young people are putting their lives on the line to protect our freedom. It hits hard."
The United States enters its fifth year of combat in Iraq next month. The Department of Defense reports there have been 3,972 U.S. service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan and 29,080 soldiers wounded. According to icasualties.org, a non-military group that compiles casualty statistics, 74 Missourians have died in the two countries since the wars there began. Weaver was the third this month.
"We've done this too many times. It never gets any easier," Fulton said. "Any time a Marine is lost, we've lost a brother. It gets to your heart."
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