Bennie Weeks

Bennie Weeks KANNAPOLIS Bennie M. Weeks, 91, retired Master Sgt., of 504 Tuttlewood Drive, passed away after a short illness on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, at the Salisbury Veterans' Home with his family at his side. Bennie was born in Benson, N.C. to Willie G. and Florence S. Weeks on Oct. 26, 1919. He attended school in Rocky Mount and, with his parents, moved to Newport News, Va. Prior to WWII, he joined the National Guard in Newport News. At the onset of the war, he trained as a paratrooper in Fort Benning. He served primarily in the European theater. With the 504 PIR of the 82nd Airborne, he made three combat jumps (Sicily, Salerno, and Holland). He was one of General Gavin's paratroopers who captured the Grave Bridge and Nijmegen Bridge (A Bridge Too Far) in Holland, and he made one land assault in Anzio. He fought in the "Battle of the Bulge" and returned to the U.S. with the distinction of not missing a day of action with the 504. In 1956, General James Gavin recommended that Sgt. Weeks be the first curator of the 82nd museum in Fort Bragg to spearhead the building and the gathering and cataloging of 82nd military memorabilia. He traveled and met with military men and women of note, including WWI Sgt. Alvin C. York, to create displays that timelined the military history of the 82nd Airborne. After his retirement in 1963, Bennie worked until his next retirement with sheltered workshops, culminating his years with the development of Scottish Crafts in Laurinburg. Being the director gave him the opportunity to continue to use his creativity and social skills with both the community and adults with special needs. Preceding him in death are his parents and his only brother, Robert Weeks. Surviving are Beulah (Peggy), his wife of 70 years, and his children, Janis Weeks McCarter, Sandra Weeks Fogg (Melvin), and Anthony Weeks. He is also survived by five grandchildren (Mel, Missy, Courtney, Elliott, and Whitney), and ten great-grandchildren. The family wishes to acknowledge the personal, palliative care extended to Bennie and his family during his stay by the entire staff at the Salisbury Veterans' Home. A memorial service will be held at the Salisbury National Cemetery on Friday, May 13, 2011, at 2 p.m. with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, a memorium may be sent to the 82nd Airborne Division Museum, P.O. Box 70119, Fort Bragg, NC 28307-0119, in his honor. "Strike Hold!" Online condolences may be left at www. whitleys funeral home.com Whitley's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.