Community honors Army veteran Weidman

RUSSELLVILLE – Veterans and community members gathered Feb. 2 at Pinkard Funeral Home to honor John Weidman, a U.S. Army veteran who retired as a staff sergeant and served with the 101st Airborne out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Franklin County Coroner Charles Adcox said a welfare check found Weidman dead in his home in Russellville. He had been dead for about a week when he was found, Adcox said.

Johnnie Pounders, a trustee with VFW Post 5184 and adjutant of American Legion Post 61, said veterans stepped in after learning Weidman had no known next of kin.

“He was a brother,” Pounders said. “We take care of our fallen.”

Randy Mancell, commander of the Russellville Veterans of Foreign Wars post, said investigators contacted him after they identified Weidman as a veteran.

David Baldwin, Joe Spurgeon, Johnnie Pounders and Thomas Miller are among those who gave John Weidman a final salute.

“We couldn’t find any living next of kin, but we did find a living will where it states all he wants is his ashes spread at a lighthouse,” he said.

Veterans then began coordinating both the memorial arrangements and the steps needed to carry out the living will request.

“The Lighthouse” by The Happy Goodmans played before the service began. The song centers on a lighthouse as a guide through danger and uncertainty.

U.S. Navy veteran Rev. B.J. Bonner, chaplain for American Legion Post 64 in Russellville, delivered the remarks, focusing on service and responsibility to others.

The ceremony featured military honors, including a rifle salute outside the funeral home and a reading of the “Soldier’s Creed.”

Sgt. Donald Johnson, a Marine, presented an American flag to Adcox.

Bagpiper Spencer Welker traveled from Clarksville, Tennessee, to take part in the service.

CONTRIBUTED/FC DMV
Weidman

He played “Amazing Grace.”

Grant Atkins, commander of American Legion Post 64, said veterans came from Tennessee and Mississippi, as well as from Tuscumbia and Florence.

“None of us knew this gentleman, but he’s a soldier and a brother,” Atkins said.

Mancell said local support helped make the service possible.

“Thanks to Pinkard Funeral Home for allowing us to do the ceremony here,” he said.

He said veterans plan to escort Weidman’s ashes to Pensacola, Florida, for a ceremony at a lighthouse once the weather gets warmer.