THE WALL OF FACES

52 Years today you made the ultimate sacrifice. you are/have been/will always be missed. Rest in Peace Big Brother.

Dear Lcpl Patrick Herron, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. It is almost Memorial Day when we honor you. Please watch over the USA, it still needs your courage. Rest in peace with the angels....

Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Parris Island, SC
Second Battalion
Platoon 286

Commenced Training:
21 April 1966
Completed Training:
15 June 1966

SSGT J.W. Lawrence - Senior Drill Instructor
SGT C.G. Skinner - Junior Drill Instructor
SGT C.H. Burton - Junior Drill Instructor

LCPL Patrick Herron was the only member
of Platoon 286 to be KIA in Viet Nam.

Semper Fidelis, Marine!

Pat,
Our early years of childhood was spent living across the street from one another in Ashley on Mary Street. Remember the swing on your front porch where one of your family members would push us so high that we could touch the ceiling. Big thrill for little boys. We snuck under your front porch you had a large pin. We punctured our fingers and rubbed our blood together to become blood brothers. You were always a great friend and I missed you when you moved to Sugar Notch. It was always a pleasure to bump into you in the years before we joined the service (different branches). I was serving over seas when my Family informed me that you had been killed in Vietnam. There is no doubt of your heroism. You were always the kind of a guy that would do anything to protect his buddies.

I have a plaque on my Mantel that has the following passage from The Rev Dennis Edwards, Chaplin USMC that applies to all the heroes like you.

It is the solider, not the reporter that has given us the freedom of the press.

It is the solider, not the poet who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the solider, not the campus organizer who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the solider, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag who allows the protester to burn the flag.

I salute you my old friend for your uncommon valor and bravery.

Chaz Mangan

Its been almost 48 years you've been gone, thou it seems not that long ago. Billy Van Louvin puts flowers on your grave every year. the people you grew up with, and your family still miss you. always will. You were a Marines, Marine! God Bless. If folks go onto WNEP: Faces not forgotten,they can learn how to submit photos....Its a good thing.