The Honor Bell will ring for Maj. Paul Weaver during a ceremony Saturday at American Legion Dickey-Springer Post 113 in Alamosa.
Weaver, a 1975 graduate of Alamosa High School, was killed in action along with his crew of 13 on Jan. 31, 1991, as he piloted Spirit 03 of the U.S. Air Force 16th Special Operations Squadron during the “Battle of Khafi,” the first major ground battle of the Gulf War and Operation Desert Storm.
In a letter home to his parents just before the mission, he wrote, “Can’t begin to describe what is going on here … We sit in anticipation for missions to be flown soon. I pray for our safety and that of our fighter friends. All these years of training … I think of you folks and the anxiety you must be feeling. Once again, realize that I have sought this end. ‘Nor law nor duty laid me fright, nor public men, nor cheering crowds, a lonely impulse of delight, drove to this tumult in the clouds …’ Oh well, my flare for the dramatic. I am so proud of my guys. I’m also proud of you, too. No farm kid growing up could have asked for better parents. Thank you for all the love and help you’ve given me through the years.”
The passage comes from “The sky was his heaven” republished here as an account of the mission reported by Chris Lopez, founder of Alamosa Citizen, when he worked for The Pueblo Chieftain newspaper.
The tolling of “The Honor Bell” is a tradition established by the Honor Bell Foundation of Colorado. Jennifer Weaver-Lavery, Paul’s sister, is expected to be in attendance at the American Legion ceremony. She has been instrumental in pushing for a full accounting of the mission and in keeping the name of her brother and his Spirit 03 gunship crew alive in memory.
“The Bell Honors follow the ‘ancient tolling method,’ blending smoothly with the dignity of military traditions. Once the folded United States flag is presented to the next of kin, the Bell Guard pays tribute with the Seven Solemn Tolls of the Honor Bell. Each toll, seven seconds apart, represents different phases in a veteran’s journey.
Once Bell Honors are finished, the Honor Bell falls silent until its next tolling mission,” the foundation writes in its description of the ceremony.
The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the American Legion Post 113, located at 514 4th St. in Alamosa.