Standing tall, the brave soldier's son as father who died saving Afghan boy from being hit by truck is buried

A U.S soldier killed in Afghanistan while saving an Afghan boy from being hit by a truck has been remembered in a funeral service as having the 'courage of a warrior' and the 'heart of a father'.

National guardsman Sgt. Dennis Weichel Jr. was laid to rest in Providence, Rhode Island on Monday, where soldiers said they were not surprised that the father-of-three died after an act of selflessness.



Weichel, who was due to marry his girlfriend when he returned home, was also remembered by his young son Nicholas, who carried a U.S. flag as he stood solemnly by his father's casket.

Heartbroken: Nicholas Weichel stands by the casket of his father, Rhode Island National Guard Sgt. Dennis Weichel Jr., who was killed in Afghanistan as he saved a boy from being hit by a truck

Remembered: An honor guard carries Weichel's casket at the state Veterans Cemetery in Exeter, Rhode Island

The 29-year-old was struck and killed by an armored vehicle on March 22 after moving an Afghan boy, who was trying to retrieve empty shell casings from underneath the vehicle to later sell .



The boy - initially reported by the military as a girl - as unharmed but Weichel died later that day from his injuries.

Loved: At his funeral service, Weichel, 29, was remembered as a selfless and committed soldier



Weichel, who joined the Rhode Island National Guard in 2001 when he was 18, was remembered for his 'goofy smile', obsession with Superman and his devotion to his job and family at the service.

In his eulogy, Rhode Island National Guard commander Maj. Gen. Kevin McBride said Weichel should be remembered as a hero who acted without a second thought for his own safety.

'Dennis Weichel had the courage of a warrior, but that isn't what drove him to save Zaillah. What drove Dennis to save that child was the heart of a father,' McBride said.

'Dennis was incredibly brave. He twice volunteered to serve his country in a war zone. And that is how you should remember him - as a hero, a brave solider who embodied the best of us all.'

Weichel, who leaves behind his son and two daughters, was posthumously promoted to sergeant.

He was also awarded the Bronze Star and the NATO Service Medal Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon RI Star for his heroism.



He was buried with full military honors at the state Veterans Cemetery in Exeter.

He was a member of C Company, 1st Battalion, 143 Infantry and was previously deployed to Iraq in 2005 as a member of 3/172 Det 2 Mountain Infantry.



McBride said that Weichel was proud of a Superman tattoo on his right arm and that his fiancee Ashley said that he had even referred to himself as the superhero.

Sad day: Soldiers pray as the remains of Weichel arrive at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, on Sunday

Hero: Weichel had moved the boy to safety but was hit by an armoured vehicle. He died later that day

'Given what we know today that was not too far from the truth about Dennis,' McBride said.

His son Nicholas had written a letter to his father after his death. It was read aloud by National Guard chaplain Capt. Timothy Bourquin at the service.

'I really, really miss you,' it wrote. 'I promise I will protect my sisters, Hope and Madison, like you told me to. You are my hero. I know you are in heaven watching over me. You are the brightest star.'

Staff Sgt. Ronald Corbett, who deployed with Weichel to Iraq in 2005, said he hoped Weichel was smiling his goofy smile even while family and friends cried for him.

Heroic: The father of three had only been in Afghanistan for a few weeks when he died

'It's you who taught me to live life to the fullest, love your family and friends a little more each day and go to bed each night, no matter what, with a smile on your face,' Corbett said.

On a Facebook page set up in his memory his young children have left a message that reads: 'We are so proud of our daddy..we love and miss you. ..daddy you are our hero. Love you Nick, Hope and Madison.'

Following his death, army officials branded Weichel’s actions the epitome of selfless service and sacrifice.

Missed: Weichel was engaged to his girlfriend Ashley Rabon, who said he joked that he was Superman



Real-life Superman: He had a tattoo on his arm bearing the superhero's emblem



'He would have done it for anybody,' said Corbett. 'That was the way he was. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.'

Lt. Col. Denis Riel, from the Rhode Island National Guard added: 'I have heard nothing but incredible stuff about this kid, selfless beyond our core values that we live up to.



'As I hear more from family and others, he was the living embodiment of the Army’s core values: courageous, selfless and loyal. All values we expect from our soldiers. We mourn all combat deaths, but this one is a significant loss.'