Dennis P. Weichel Jr

A LIFE REMEMBERED

We speak the name.

Army Spc. Dennis P. Weichel Jr. died March 22 in Laghman province, Afghanistan, from injuries suffered in a noncombat incident. RI guardsman killed in accident in Afghanistan The Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. &mdash An 11-year member of the Rhode Island National Guard has been killed in a vehicle accident while serving in Afghanistan. Spc. Dennis Weichel died Thursday in Afghanistan. State Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Kevin McBride announced the death Friday. Weichel joined the National Guard in 2001. He was a member of a unit based in East Greenwich, R.I., that arrived in Afghanistan earlier this month. The unit is conducting security operations in Laghman Province. A Pawtucket resident, Weichel is survived by three children and his parents. National Guard spokeswoman Sgt. Megan Burmeister could not provide details on the accident. Gov. Lincoln Chafee has ordered flags lowered to half-staff to honor Weichel. R.I. guardsman died after saving Afghan girl The Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. &mdash Military officials say a Rhode Island National�Guard member struck and killed by an armored vehicle in Afghanistan last week had moved an Afghan girl to safety shortly before the accident. The National�Guard on Wednesday released details of the March 22 accident that killed 29-year-old Sgt. Dennis Weichel Jr. of Providence and called him a hero. Officials say Weichel&#39s unit was in Laghman province when they encountered several Afghan children in the path of their convoy. They say Weichel saw a girl trying to retrieve an item under the armored vehicle and moved her to safety, then was struck. Visiting hours are set for 4 p.m. Sunday at Olson & Parent Funeral Home in Providence. He will be buried at the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery in Exeter.