1LT Todd Weaver
In Memory of 1LT Todd William Weaver
October 22, 1983 - September 9, 2010
Killed In Action Kandahar, Afghanistan
"Tribute To The Patriot Guard" - oil painting by Jeanne Harris Weaver
"I believe our flag is more than just cloth and ink. It is a universally recognized symbol that stands for liberty, and freedom. It is the history of our nation, and it's marked by the blood of those who died defending it."
- Senator John Thune
Remembering Todd
2022
In January we receive a letter and package in the mail by a person who volunteered with Flags of Valor. In the package was the flag flown in memory of Todd along with more than 7,000 other flags in memory of other fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines on Art Hill, St. Louis, Missouri. They were flown on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. In addition, we received a simulated dog tag with a photo of Todd. We are appreciative and thank all those who were part of this amazing project and a special thank you to the gentleman who was responsible for Todd's Flag.
20th Anniversary of 9/11 at Art Hill, St Louis Missouri
On January 29, at the JROTC Viera High School Army Ball, where Donn is the Key Note Speaker, we are presented this plaque in memory of Todd by LTC Tim Thomas, Ret, Melbourne City Councilman, and the Melbourne Veterans Cemetery Restoration Foundation. Thank you to the Foundation, Melbourne City for a special presentation in 2021 and to LTC Thomas for your thoughtfulness in remembering Todd.
Todd's parents, Donn and Jeanne were made Honorary Members of the Military Order of The Purple Heart, Chapter 453 in 2015. Today, we were given this plaque at a ceremony by the chapter. It is heart warming to know there are so many people who have come to know and remember our son, Todd.
A friend by the name of Rick Beech who is a USAF Veteran has created this truck in memory of all who have been killed in Action in service to our country in recent wars. Each name and many coins including Todd's coin on the dashboard of the truck. Recently, he has created a short inspiring video in memory of our fallen. It is on YouTube:
From Amy Nearman:
I did it! Not the fastest half but I’m proud of this accomplishment. I am blessed with a supportive family, amazing friends, the best running buddies, supportive running groups and a killer Coach! Proudly ran for 1st Lt Todd Weaver
Thank you to Amy and Congratulations!
On Guam's Liberation Day, July 21, Todd's widow, Emma, gave opening remarks at the unveiling of the Pacific Islands Regional Gold Star Families Memorial. We are so proud of Emma and her efforts to bring this monument to Guam in memory of Todd and all who have lost their lives for our country and our territories.
Global War on Terror Annual Memorial Ceremony at Ft. Benning, GA on September 10, 2022.
Donn and Jeanne attended this annual ceremony which adds the names of all combat deaths from all services every year. Todd's name will forever be on this monument outside the Infantry Museum. Donn spoke almost 500 people, including those families whose heroes fell when leaving Afghanistan in 2021. He spoke about being a Gold Star Father and the responsibilities of our country to select good leaders who place our service members in harms way. This year we made a rubbing of Todd's name which is located on panel 10 row 26 of the beautiful GWOT Memorial.
A Bottle of Bourbon is created in Memory of Todd
Over Thanksgiving weekend in Virginia, our family received bottles of bourbon created in memory of Todd from Bourbon 30, a small distillery in Kentucky near Ft. Campbell. We asked them why and this was their response:
"At Bourbon 30 we created our military division to give back to the men and women who have served our country by creating bottles to honor and celebrate the soldiers and give money to the foundations who help care for them (Ex: Camp Brown Bear, Kentucky Wounded Heroes). We ask different veterans what bottles they would like to see and then start creating the bottle designs. When working with bottles such as the 101st Airborne, we realized this was a perfect opportunity to honor soldiers who sacrificed so much for us to live in a free country and decided to honor a soldier with a military release."
Todd was one of many fallen eagles chosen.
Wreaths Across America
December 17 was Wreaths Across America day when 3.6 million wreaths were laid at the gravesites of Veterans across the United States.
This year in 2022, Laurel Webb, a very close friend of Adrianna's family went on a school trip to lay WAA wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. On her own, Laurel found Todd's gravesite in Section 60 and laid his wreath. Thank you Laurel.
(Adrianna Vargo is Todd's oldest sister)
Todd's Study abroad award endowment reaches $85,000.00
Each year, William and Mary sends us an update on the study abroad award endowment. Despite having given out more than 20 awards, the endowment still contains enough money to continue the program for decades to come.
Todd’s nephew, Daniel (third from the left) was just a little boy when Todd fell in combat. On Sep 3, 2020, as Daniel was graduating from basic combat training at Ft. Sill, he presented his drill sergeants with coins in memory of Todd. The story of this remembrance is linked through the photograph to the left. Having returned from his overseas assignment to Djibouti and TDY to Somalia, Daniel is now taking time off from the military to obtain his BA degree from Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA . His Uncle Todd would be very proud of him.