Mysterious missing Marine lived on tree farm, called himself 'Nine'

By Kevin Vaughan, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 19, 2008 at 3:52 p.m.
Updated November 20, 2008 at 9:57 a.m.

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Photo by Matt McClain / The Rocky

Ken Nattinger takes in strangers who need a place to stay in exchange for doing work on his farm near Port Angeles, Wash. Lance Hering was one of them.

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PORT ANGELES, Wash. — He showed up as the weather was warming in 2007, his hair long and wavy, his demeanor quiet, calling himself "Nine" - as in the number.

Or maybe it was "Nein" - as in the German word for "no."

Ken Nattinger was never really sure which it was, and it didn't matter to him. The young man he now knows was missing Marine Lance Hering worked hard for a few months on Nattinger's tree farm, then moved on. That was sometime around the arrival of fall in 2007.

And while many aspects of Hering's 26 months on the run remain clouded in mystery, the time he spent working on Nattinger's farm and living in his home seem to indicate that he spent a good part of the past two years in the extreme northwest corner of the United States, on the lush Olympic Peninsula.

Hering, now 23, faces desertion charges after allegedly pulling off an elaborate ruse and disappearing on Aug. 30, 2006, just before he was to return to the U.S. Marine Corps after a leave.

Court appearance

Hering appeared in court Wednesday afternoon, wearing a red Clallam County Jail jumpsuit, his hands cuffed to a chain wrapped around his waist.

During the six-minute hearing, Judge Ken Williams said he expected Hering to be turned over to the Marine Corps if he posts the $5,000 bail that was set after his arrest Sunday afternoon in this logging and shipping town.

Hering had served in Iraq when he traveled to Colorado in 2006 to visit his parents. His scheduled return to California's Camp Pendleton was looming when a friend went to Boulder County authorities and told them that Hering had been injured in a rock-climbing fall in Eldorado Canyon State Park.

That sparked the largest search-and-rescue operation in Boulder County history. But after no sign of Hering was found, investigators concluded that he staged the accident so he could slip away. A video camera caught an image of a young man believed to be Hering climbing onto a Greyhound bus in Denver.

Since the fall of 2006, Boulder County investigators have worked the case, but it wasn't until a tipster led them to the airport in Port Angeles on Sunday that Hering was arrested after he'd boarded a small plane piloted by his father. Lloyd Hering, 60, was charged with aiding a fugitive.

Both father and son told investigators the plan was to have him evaluated by a psychiatrist in Virginia, then to take him to a lawyer in Texas who planned to arrange for Hering's surrender.

A 'moral principle'

Numerous questions surround Hering's whereabouts between his disappearance and his arrest.

At the beginning of the summer of 2007, Hering showed up at Nattinger's tree farm on a two-lane road outside Port Angeles.

Nattinger said he and his wife, who are Quakers, have taken in young men and women for years, offering them a place to stay and food in exchange for work on their tree farm.

He described it as a "moral principle" Wednesday as he worked to cut a new ditch on his property, which is surrounded by forested ridges and jagged rock outcroppings.

Hering called himself "Nine" - or "Nein" - and Nattinger didn't ask any questions.

"People like Nine show up all the time," Nattinger said. "Sometimes they like the lifestyle and they stay. Sometimes they move on."

Hering stayed three or four months, then he and his girlfriend, identified in court documents as Kimberly Pace, moved on.

"He was a good worker," Nattinger said. "He wasn't a freeloader."

Hering helped build a 6-foot fence around the couple's vegetable garden to keep out foraging deer and helped trim weeds around the hundreds of Christmas trees growing on part of the farm.

He did not talk about his background, and others living on the farm didn't ask questions.

When he had free time, he often clambered to the top of one of the Douglas firs that stand more than 120 feet tall on the property.

"I thought he was crazy, personally," said David Bidne, who has lived with Nattinger for three years. "I tried it once and didn't get very far."

'Very distant, very quiet'

Bidne remembered two other things about Hering. He remembered the time he duct-taped his eyes shut for 24 hours "to see if he could use all his other senses."

And he remembered how Hering could be right there, in the group, and virtually disappear without leaving.

"He was very distant, very quiet," Bidne said. "You know . . . where there is the main group and the satellite? He was the satellite - happy but distant."

Nattinger noticed that, too, but he didn't really think about it until he saw Hering's Marine mug shot in the local paper, and someone told him it was the young man he knew as Nine. It came as a shock - he had not seen Hering since the day he and Pace said "thank you" and "goodbye" a little more than a year ago.

Wednesday morning, as he carefully trimmed Christmas trees with a hint of frost still clinging to the tall grasses, he shook his head as he thought about Hering.

"He really was a good fellow," Nattinger said. "I wish him the best."

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Comments

November 19, 2008

4:07 p.m.

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SteveC writes:

Why would you post a $5000 bond knowing you were going to be arrested by the Feds as soon as you got out? Save the money and just stay in whatever jail you're in. Dumb@ss.
November 19, 2008

4:19 p.m.

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elkman writes:

Why would you even set bail on someone who likes to vanish. 5 grand is nothing for bail. What is it with some judges? Have they no common sense?
November 19, 2008

5:28 p.m.

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Really writes:

Now he is planning on fighting extradition back to Colorado?? What a coward. It wasn't enough that he let his country and his Marine unit down by deserting them but now he will not step up and face the consequences of his actions.. LOSER!

Let him go to Canada he is an embarrassment to us.
November 20, 2008

1:18 a.m.

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LadyBird112 writes:

Really-

They'll deport him back. Haven't you heard? Canada isn't cool with deserters either.
November 20, 2008

6:33 a.m.

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gr8fun4me writes:

Let the guy go. He'd already been to Iraq numerous times. They really need to reinstate the draft so that all the people that are complaining here can see what it is like to be shot at. They keep sending the same group of guys back over. Everybody has to serve a 2 year commitment for their country. Maybe it will stop the BS wars like this one.

And yes I have served 4 years active, 2 years reserve.
November 20, 2008

7:05 a.m.

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elkman writes:

gr8fun4me
Right, let the guy go. That would be a fine example to the rest of the military. No consequences for desertion. You have to be kidding, right? You are being sarcastic, right?
November 20, 2008

7:22 a.m.

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rumplstilskin writes:

I feel for the guy but elkman is right, he could have gone back and claimed conscientious objector status and would have never seen combat again, he had obviously had enough or he wouldn't have pulled a stunt like this. I hate this war like most but no punishment would set a presidence that is not right. I don't blame him for not wanting to go back though. He's only human.
November 20, 2008

7:38 a.m.

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GunnyBob writes:

No, he has not been to Iraq numerous times. Another farcical lie easily disproved.

Yeah, sure, no one going to Iraq is going for the first time. Think about you said.

Nine, eh? OK, since he likes that number, nine years in the brig, reduced to private, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and a BCD.
November 20, 2008

7:43 a.m.

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freeman2night writes:

Udall will probably hire this guy as a military advisor.

Seriosly.
November 20, 2008

8:14 a.m.

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mevantin writes:

Listen to you tough guys bash this poor scared kid. It is amazing what people will say with the anonymity of the Internet. I would love to hear you guys say what you post in any of these articles to the faces of those involved. It must be easy to say reckless and cruel things from the comfort of your own home when the only consequence of your words is possibly being removed from the message thread from a moderator.

Talk about cowards.
November 20, 2008

8:21 a.m.

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elkman writes:

mevantin
I have said nothing reckless or cruel about this coward. All I said is that he must pay the piper. He made a commitment to his country and then betrayed his country. Pretty simple. And what is your opinion of this whole matter? You call everyone else cowards, but fail to put your meat on the platter.
November 20, 2008

8:21 a.m.

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sheepherder writes:

mevantin, you the pot or the kettle?

They should sentence him back to Iraq for the duration of the war. Maybe he could grow a spine while he is there...COWARD!
November 20, 2008

8:36 a.m.

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mevantin writes:

My opinions on this matter are of little importance to those posting on this thread. Nobody comes here to have their opinions changed, I am sure.

My only point is that the comments on the Rocky threads are often extremely insensitive and brash, and a lot of the time I read things that I know a lot of you wouldn't dare say without the cloak of anonymity in these threads. Just because you will not be held accountable for what you say here does not make it right or ok.

And yes, it is cowardly.
November 20, 2008

8:38 a.m.

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elkman writes:

Sheepherder
Not a bad idea, however, would you want your wing man to be a coward and deserter? I would not want to have to count on him. I think he would be better off in prison for a few years. Then he will have time to think about what he really is.
November 20, 2008

8:46 a.m.

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robinbird666 writes:

If only ALL soldiers would go AWOL in protest when home... then this ridiculous, pointless Iraq war would be OVER and the Bush regime would get the message.
November 20, 2008

8:57 a.m.

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SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

I think he should be convicted just based on him trying to pass as one of the brothers from Hanson.
November 20, 2008

9 a.m.

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chickenlittle1234 writes:

a general question, following on rumplstilskin's post - can someone get a conscientious objector status after they've already served in combat?

And elkman - just curious, have you served in combat? For the record, my opinion is that he's AWOL, and he has to pay these consequences for that. With respect to his character, I'm not about to call him a coward. I don't know him, and I don't know enough of the circumstances that led him to go AWOL to make that judgment.
November 20, 2008

9:03 a.m.

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elkman writes:

robinbird666
Right. If all soldiers went AWOL we would have no military left. Do you even know what you are suggesting? Complete defiance of our government's military. We would have no military left. News to you, but people in the military have pride in their duties and jobs. Most, if not all of them would laugh you all the way to whatever tree you hide in.
November 20, 2008

9:14 a.m.

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elkman writes:

chickenlittle1234
You don't know enough about his character? Lets see...He put many people's lives at risk when he LIED about his disapperance. He had a job with the Marines and failed to show up for it. That makes him a CHEAT. He refuses to come back to Colorado to face the charges agains him. That, my friend, makes him a COWARD. And you don't know enough about his character? Its time to wake up!
November 20, 2008

9:18 a.m.

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chickenlittle1234 writes:

Hmm, interesting non-response to my question to you, elkman, so I'll ask again, and I'll extend it to sheepherder - have you served in combat?
November 20, 2008

9:22 a.m.

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HSTOWEL writes:

robinbird666, and after they all desert their duties we could have a giant Woodstock and that would solve all the world's problems. Stop smoking pot before you post.

chickenlittle1234, he may not be a coward in every sense but he's certainly a coward for deserting his comrades that he served with. 99.9% of people serving wouldn't think of deserting their fellow service members. If didn't want to continue serving he should have stood up, said so, refused, and then paid the consequences. Instead he cooks up an elaborate scheme that costs taxpayers thousands of dollars to search for him and then flees. You are wrong, he exhibited cowardly acts.
November 20, 2008

9:25 a.m.

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elkman writes:

chickenlittle1234
It is really interesting that you try to sway the conversation to someone or something else. The debate here is about a person who left the Marines without permission over 2 and 1/2 years ago. He lied, cheated, and is a coward by most standards. Lets stay on the topic as you should be doing.
November 20, 2008

9:25 a.m.

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Gomer writes:

As a Marine Iraq combat vet, I will say that some people cannot handle combat. I understand that there are many people against the war. Where this kid is wrong is he deserted his unit and faked his death so that he would not have to look at his Marine Corps brothers in the eye and tell them that he wouldn't have their back. Then he went into hiding and seemingly went off the reservation.

He could have been an objector, taken his criticism and punishment and gone on with his life. The respect he lost from his Marine brothers is still lost. Now he will have a litany of federal charges to go with it.

He is a coward and an imbecile.
November 20, 2008

9:25 a.m.

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chickenlittle1234 writes:

Thanks, I'll take that as a no.
November 20, 2008

9:28 a.m.

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SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

chickenlittle1234 has obiviously been to liberal activist camp as he pulls out the strategy of framing the issue as he/she/it sees fit and then ignoring other issues.
November 20, 2008

9:28 a.m.

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elkman writes:

And I will take that as you are asleep or just plain ......
November 20, 2008

9:34 a.m.

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chickenlittle1234 writes:

Gomer - thank you for a informed response. Yours is an opinion I can respect. The rest are hot air.
November 20, 2008

9:38 a.m.

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elkman writes:

chickenlittle1234
You really think anyone respects your opinion? Don't see many people supporting you on this subject. It makes no difference if I served in the Military or not. If you are trying to set a trap, give it up. You don't deserve the response. I don't like games, like you seem to. Again, he is a lying, cheating, coward. Those are the facts.
November 20, 2008

9:40 a.m.

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chickenlittle1234 writes:

elkman - I wasn't trying to set a trap. I genuinely wanted to know what was informing your opinion. I understand Gomer's pointof view, and I respect that. You were the one who got defensive.
November 20, 2008

9:49 a.m.

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elkman writes:

chickenlittle1234
I am old enough to have an opinion. (Believe you me). I guess you will only accept the opinion of someone who has served in the Military? Kind of shallow thinking. Many other people have opinions and ideas to share. When you call my opinions "hot air", I guess I did get defensive. Can you blame me? That would be like me calling your opinions "hot air". You have a right to your opinions, I just completely disagree. I said that Hering is a cheater, lier, and coward. Prove me wrong. Because the facts support just what I called him.
November 20, 2008

9:53 a.m.

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gr8fun4me writes:

No, I don't think he should get off scott free. When I served in the Air Force I was stationed in North Dakota. Out of the four of us that went there I was the only one that lasted the 4 years. The other three went AWOL or got booted out for drug offenses. It was miserable for the first year. I got used to it and didn't mind it later. But how do you get used to being deployed and wondering if you're going to make it back. Going to Iraq numerous times would not thrill me, especially since we should not have been there in the first place and my life is on the line for bad decisions made by our commander in chief.
November 20, 2008

9:55 a.m.

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pietrojoe writes:

Everyone says this he was a "good kid." Former girlfriends dad, employer, family and friends all say that.
It makes me believe he left for good reason. I think he did see something terrible in Iraq, and he feared for his safety. I would have left to if I was fighting a senseless war.
Where he went wrong was faking his disappearance. He should have just kept his mouth shut and faced the light punishment of getting dishonerably discharged.
I hope everything works out.
November 20, 2008

10:01 a.m.

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elkman writes:

gr8fun4me
You joined the Air Force. Mr Hering joined the Marines. Neither one of you were drafted. What was your oath when you were sworn in? Did it say anything about good or bad decisions made by your commander in chief in relation to what you were swearing to do? The answer is of course, NO. You swore to protect your country, not based on who is the President and whether you agree with his policy. This young man is a coward. You can try and put as much sugar on it as you want. But the long and short of it is that he is a coward, a lier, and a cheat.
November 20, 2008

10:11 a.m.

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chickenlittle1234 writes:

It's not that I only respect the opinion of someone who has served in the military on this, but when I see opinions and judgments like yours voiced, I'd like to know that there is some real life experience behind it.

Look, I haven't served in the military, either, which is why I stated I don't know enough to form an opinion about his character. I haven't had people firing live ammunition at me, and I don't know how I'd react. A little more than a year ago, I had the opportunity and honor to go on a tour of Normandy that was offered through the WWII Museum in New Orleans. We were lucky enough to have several D-Day vets, including one who rated a few paragraphs in Stephen Ambrose's book "Citizen Soldier" who landed on the worst part of Omaha Beach. As he told his story (an amazing one - look for Harold Baumgartner in the index of the book and read his story), he told us that landing on the beach and watching his buddies literally get shredded was what motivated him and other survivors to move and fight - it wasn't bravery so much as rage. But he also mentioned others that were completely paralyzed by fear. He said this without any judgment, too, probably because they are the ones who died on the beach - judgment enough, I suppose.

A long winded way of explaining why I respect Gomer's opinion, even if I don't agree with it. And it also might help explain why I called all other opinions hot air, much like the hot air that was spewing from Cheney's, Rumsfeld's, and Wolfowitz's mouths - none of whom had any combat experience (though at least with Rumsfeld, he did serve in the Navy).
November 20, 2008

10:11 a.m.

Suggest removal

buffsblg writes:

Once again some facts. Herring had done one tour in Iraq and was set to return for a second when he disappeared. While in Iraq he served in the same unit as the one where one sergeant has been convicted of murdering an Iraqi, three still face charges in the same death and a number of others have plead guilty to lesser charges. I am not taking a position as to the claims made by Herring about fearing his fellow soldiers and certainly I cannot support how he went about faking his death. While everyone is using this case to make their points about the war, there are alot of specific facts that we do not and perhaps never will have. That of course will not stop anyone on here from making judgments.
November 20, 2008

10:15 a.m.

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katiestone writes:

I agree with pletrojoe and everyone else who has compassion for this kid. He was 21-22 years old and he was truly scared for his life. According to Westword's profile of his story, he had seen horrific things committed by his own soldiers behind the scenes--corrupt things we never hear about because soldiers are always portrayed as nothing less than heros (which most of them are). None of us knew his terror and none of us know what made him run.

Everyone that knows him speaks highly of his character. He made a huge mistake by letting all of those people search for him. He made a huge mistake by making his family wonder if he was alive. But he was trying to escape a situation that was already being covered up by our government--the same government that put us in this war for all of the wrong reasons.

You are in my thoughts, Lance.
November 20, 2008

10:20 a.m.

Suggest removal

elkman writes:

pietrojoe
"Everyone" is inclusive of all people. I would bet that his "girlfriend, dad, mom, family" would all say that he was a "good kid". Bet yours would too. But to "most" people, he was not a "good kid". In fact, he is a bad kid.
November 20, 2008

10:27 a.m.

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pietrojoe writes:

Former employers and his ex-girlfriend's dads speak highly of him.
I know that my ex-girlfriend's dads would not say the same kind word about me. Same with some employers from a long while back.
I should have said everyone who knows him speaks highly of his character.
Well-written comment Katiestone.
November 20, 2008

10:46 a.m.

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elkman writes:

Make all the excuses you want for Mr Hering. Sugar-coat it all you want. Bad mouth Bush and the reasons for being in the war. But that does not erase the fact that this kid is a lier, cheater, and coward. I am pretty sure that most parents will stick up for their kids, no matter what. However, this article was not about "putting us in a war for all the wrong reasons". It was not about his closest friends telling us about "what a good kid" he was. It was an article telling us that this "good kid" deceived his parents, friends, media, search party members, Marines, US Government, and local law enforcement. Call a spade a spade. The kid won't even come back to Colorado to face the charges. Now, that is being a true coward!
November 20, 2008

10:48 a.m.

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Shaupeen writes:

"...while many aspects of Hering's 26 months on the run remain clouded in mystery..."

I think we can take visits to Supercuts off the list of where he was in those 26 months.
November 20, 2008

10:49 a.m.

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Cowboy63 writes:

The desertion is pretty small potatos in the long run. The military has been dealing with that since day one. He'll be processed and cut loose - eventually. I would think the REAL trouble is with trying to stage his death, the following search/rescue and the planned insurance scam. That's where he's going to run into real trouble.

23-years old and already flushed his life down the tubes. Not to mention hanging an aiding and abetting charge on his 60-year old dad. How much cash is Junior going to cost his well-meaning but misguided parents by the time this is all over?

Parents, take note! Better raise your kids right or they will be a millstone around your neck for the rest of your lives. ALL of this would have been averted had Junior not volunteered in the first place. Know your limitations.
November 20, 2008

10:58 a.m.

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chickenlittle1234 writes:

Cowboy63 - I think your analysis is right - it's the faking his disappearance that'll be a big problem. There are a lot of people in Boulder County who spent a lot of time and emotional energy searching for him, and that hasn't been forgotten.
November 20, 2008

11 a.m.

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pietrojoe writes:

elkman, I understand your frustration. If you're going to join the service, you should expect to see time in war. It comes with the territory, and you should serve your tour of duty.
But certainly we don't know all the facts here. It is quite possible he did witness a civillian murdered by American troops and dealt with it in a way he thought would protect himself and his family.
It was the wrong avenue of course, but who doesn't act like an idiot at 22?
I think you should save your "coward, liar and cheater" comments until all the facts are released.
You could be right, but I think in time you will see that this kid was just misguided.
November 20, 2008

11:05 a.m.

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ralatorre writes:

Ok really the only thing that I have to say on this is get over it! What this kid did is wrong in a lot of ways. He had to have had a reason other wise he would not have done what he did though. Should he be punished, yes. Is it any of our positions to say what or how long his punishment should be, No. Unless you have been in his shoes then do not judge. Get over it, quit arguing like a bunch of four year olds. The government will do what they see fit and nothing else. End of story.
November 20, 2008

11:14 a.m.

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Cowboy63 writes:

Why do all these fugitives wind up in the NorthWest? I'm sure if you wanted to collect that $50K bounty on the Vail arsonists - Seattle would be a good place to start.
November 20, 2008

11:15 a.m.

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elkman writes:

pietrojoe
Lots of kids don't act like an idiot at 22. I know quite a few who are very responsible at that age and even younger. Save my comments? Did he or did he not lie? YES! Did he or did he not stage his own disappeance? YES! Did he or did he not deceive his friends, and family? YES! After 2 and 1/2 years (let me say it again--2 and 1/2 years) he finally gets caught. Yes, caught. He did not turn himself in. Facts are facts. And as for being a coward. Bet his commrades in the Marines would say yes. You say, "protect himself and his family". How in the heck is he protecting his family by running away? Your logic is a little weak, as is your entire argument. Sometimes you just have to face the facts, like it or not.
November 20, 2008

11:18 a.m.

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sargentvince writes:

Ok, this issue is really torqueing me off.

This Hering loser is a drug abusing hippy coward, abandoning his fellow brothers in the Corp.

I was a Marine gunnery sargent in the '60, back when peacenik types like Hering were ruining the country while there was a real war going on in the nam. If he were in my unit back then, I would have ordered him to front-line duty after we dry-shaved his punk head. We did it before, it'll be done again. All you Boulder pinkos can't handle the truth.
November 20, 2008

11:20 a.m.

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chickenlittle1234 writes:

ralatorre - sound advice, but what fun is that?! It's a lot more fun to argue like Irish siblings!
November 20, 2008

11:32 a.m.

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jay writes:

"ALL of this would have been averted had Junior not volunteered in the first place."

" If you're going to join the service, you should expect to see time in war"

etc, etc, etc.

no one "volunteers" or "joins the service" to be needlessly sent into battle against a populace with no means to harm the united states.

let's not forget that very important fact here people.

i would have done the same thing...as the kid or the parents.
November 20, 2008

11:35 a.m.

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tjpatriot writes:

He should have called himself "six". That's more like the age he is acting.
November 20, 2008

11:42 a.m.

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Cowboy63 writes:

"no one "volunteers" or "joins the service" to be needlessly sent into battle against a populace with no means to harm the united states."

That's not an option when you voluntarily enlist. Following orders isn't always easy, but that's the job description. He knew that.

The military has been dealing with deserters from day one. Frankly, they are low priority. They know these guys all eventually will show up in society and will be dealt with in due time.

Easy fix. Don't volunteer.
November 20, 2008

11:44 a.m.

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LingLingfor_prez writes:

Nein!
November 20, 2008

11:54 a.m.

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haloguy628 writes:

The people who paint this guy as some kind of kid joining because of personal convictions and then saw terrible things that changed his perspective where he wanted to protest the war.

Well there was conviction. For burglary, and it was either joining the Marines or going to jail. And yes, he most likely saw some unsavory things. Combat is cruel and war is hell. That's a fact and I do speak from my own experience.

This man was screwing up before he joined military by commiting felony, and he's continuing to screw up, manipulate, and cheat by staging his disappearance and planning insurance fraud. Together with his daddy who must be great example for him.

That in itself indicates that he has flawed character, is selfish, and does not care who he hurts in the process. He could just have taken the jail term and be done with it. Instead he thought that he would game the system spend couple of years in the military and come out clean. Well he gambled and he lost, as he apparently did not factor in that we have armed conflict going on. Typical criminal mind. Always thinking that he/she will beat the system. Not this time.
November 20, 2008

12:01 p.m.

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Dick_Tater writes:

Guess since I am a veteran of the first gulf war, I can call him a coward? I disagree Chicken. Just because people did not choose to serve does not mean that they can not have an opinion on this matter. Freedom of thought and speech is something we fight for.

What I would like to add is this.

I was a section chief for a 6 gun howitzer battery. I ran a team of 8 who each had thier own position. While I could cover for each and many were able to do the jobs they were promoted from, the loss of 1 person ( even at the bottom ) put the entire gun at a disadvantage. I hate the thought that the other Marines who depended on this scum bag were now forced to face greater peril because their team mate decided to run away. He did so when he was needed most. It is like a fireman collecting his monthly check and then not showing up to the fire when it happens. We all sign the contract, going to war when called upon is part of the job description. No one on my gun wanted to go off to war, it was our dedication to our country and fellow Marines that made us go. That is what makes him a dishonarable coward and unfit to carry the title of Marine.

This also points out the need to hold employers responsible for who they hire. Not only did the family but the tree farm also aided a criminal in avoiding prosecution.
November 20, 2008

12:14 p.m.

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opinionatedcolo writes:

tater

Understanding your frustration that Herring ran rather than face the consequences of his decision, do you have any evidence that his unit was deployed short handed or that anyone actually faced "greater peril" due to his actions. He did not run in the face of fire, but well before his unit was deployed. Is it the general policy of the Marines to ship shorthanded units into combat zones? Lots of folks on here act like he took off when shot at, when that simply is not true.
November 20, 2008

12:15 p.m.

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sargentvince writes:

I was in the nam in the '60. We drafted punks like Hering back in those days. I'd Article 15 his a** if he tried to desert my unit. Give him napalm duty.

Good times, they were. Nowadays the military has to coddle these 'volunteer' pantywipes. "But sarge, I just wanted to extend my leave so I could smoke dope with my comrades at Burning Man." They'll probably discharge him, give him his purse and high heels, and drop him off at the flower show.
November 20, 2008

12:24 p.m.

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Cowboy63 writes:

I'm curious about the follow up on his original claim; basically, "he didn't want to go back because he witnessed a homocide and feared retribution from members of his unit".

Since there's no chance of him going back to his unit, has he fleshed out those accusations and provided names, dates, places and details? He's had two years to organize those claims.
November 20, 2008

12:28 p.m.

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chickenlittle1234 writes:

Dick_Tater writes - "Guess since I am a veteran of the first gulf war, I can call him a coward? I disagree Chicken. Just because people did not choose to serve does not mean that they can not have an opinion on this matter. Freedom of thought and speech is something we fight for."

I agree with your last sentiment, and you're right, I can't really say elkman isn't entitled to his opinion because he didn't serve. What griped me was the leap to judgment based on knowing very little. Hering did serve in combat, and I haven't seen anything to suggest that his service was cowardly or less than honorable. As I worte above, I haven't seen combat, so the best I can manage is imagining, and I know with a certainty that that won't suffice. I haven't disagreed with anyone who believes Hering has to "pay the piper" (as elkman put it) for going AWOL. But I'm also not about to judge this kid beyond that.
November 20, 2008

12:31 p.m.

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jay writes:

"Easy fix. Don't volunteer."

that's the option for our young people these days, cowboy?

if you don't want to needlessly fight a war with a country that was no threat to the us you just shouldn't volunteer for the armed services?

interesting opinion.
November 20, 2008

12:36 p.m.

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elkman writes:

jay
"no one "volunteers" or "joins the service" to be needlessly sent into battle against a populace with no means to harm the united states"
"let's not forget that very important fact here people"
You forgot one. When you join the service, you commit to protect the United States in peacetime as well as wartime. You are promising to doing whatever your commander in chief wants you to do. If he says go to war, you go. That is what you agreed to do when you joined the service. You have volunteered to take on that responsibility. As Cowboy said "Easy fix. Don't volunteer". That is the FACT that is most important here people.
November 20, 2008

12:38 p.m.

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anderson writes:

opinionatedcolo, you're right of course. The Marines aren't going to send in a short-handed unit into combat. If someone disappears, or dies, they have to replace him.

But when a stone-throwing rabble gathers, all manner of misdeeds are likely to be mentioned.
November 20, 2008

12:42 p.m.

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jay writes:

"When you join the service, you commit to protect the United States in peacetime as well as wartime"

quite right...which is why this kid was completely justified in not returning to iraq, elkman...as iraq was no threat to the united states.

see my point?

when the commander in chief is combat ineffective, do you still have to follow his orders?
November 20, 2008

12:43 p.m.

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Denver7 writes:

Sounds to me like he lives in a different world. And it sounds like the north west doesn't find people like him all that unusual.
November 20, 2008

12:48 p.m.

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elkman writes:

jay
Get a life. "As well as war time". Maybe you did not know that we are fighting a war? The kid is completely unjustified in what he did. He made a commitment. Understand? He signed his name on the dotted line. You are using your liberal agenda to talk about whether we should be in the war or not. Read the article, then read what others post. Then, write about the article, not about your biased view on the war. You have not point. Yes you still follow his orders. That is what the military is all about. Dont' like it, don't join!
November 20, 2008

12:53 p.m.

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katiestone writes:

There are a lot of misconceptions that people are believing about this case due to lack of information from the media.

1. Lance Hering was not a felon until he went AWOL. The burglary charge wasn't a real burglary. Lance was an avid climber. When he was 18, he and his best friend scaled the wall of the Savers in Boulder one night. They didn't steal anything, they just wanted to climb the wall. They tripped a silent alarm and the cops showed up. They were both put on probation--their records would have cleared had this whole fugitive thing not happened.

2. Lance was diagnosed with Grave's disease, a thyroid disorder that leaves one with extreme fatigue and prolonged muscle weakness. If you're an athlete, as was Lance, you can imagine how devastating this would be. When he started to recover, he joined the Marines as a way of keeping himself strong and having a regimented schedule. He did not join the Marines because he was a felon. He wasn't a felon until he ran away.

3. The above mentioned best friend sent Lance a video camera for his helmet so that Lance could videotape himself climbing around the blown out buildings in Iraq. As mentioned before, he was a kid who loved to climb. Unfortunately, that same video camera was on when Marines from Lance's unit dragged an Iraqi man out of his house and onto the street and shot him to death for no reason. Though this is not a direct quote, when those Marines learned that the camera had been on, they threatened Lance with his life.

This isn't some punk kid who ran away. This was a 21 year old who was scared for his life. His father is a Vietnam vet. I think it's important that we give him the benefit of the doubt and realize what compelled this man to do what he did. Given the same situation, I wouldn't trust the government or the military to protect me. There is a lot of corruption that we don't hear about because it would taint the image we're supposed to have of this war.
November 20, 2008

1 p.m.

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Cowboy63 writes:

jay writes: "when the commander in chief is combat ineffective, do you still have to follow his orders?"

Yes, you do.

jay - I'm shocked! I never would have thought you would endorse the idea of only combat veterans being qualified for Commander-in-Chief.
November 20, 2008

1 p.m.

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buffsblg writes:

The bond is low for two reasons. First, the charges in Boulder are a misdemeanor and a failure to appear, both pretty small stuff. Second, the bond on those charges are irrelevant, as the Marine warrant will be executed when he posts bond. There is no chance this guy will just walk out of the jail and disappear. If Herring does post bond, that just means he chooses to face the Marines first.
November 20, 2008

1:04 p.m.

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elkman writes:

katiestone
1. He is a felon. You admit it.
2. If he had this disease, how did he get into the Marines?
3. If he had a "video camera", I assume the other "Marines" destroyed it and the media that recorded it? Then, there is no proof? So, you are accusing other Marines of murder? Pretty bold statements.
Excuse after excuse for this lying, cheating, coward. Yes, he is a "punk" kid who ran away and left everyone else holding the dirty laundry. Time to pay the piper!
November 20, 2008

1:05 p.m.

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leatherneck writes:

katiestone: Where do you get you info from??

"Unfortunately, that same video camera was on when Marines from Lance's unit dragged an Iraqi man out of his house and onto the street and shot him to death for no reason. Though this is not a direct quote, when those Marines learned that the camera had been on, they threatened Lance with his life."

That is hard to believe....

So if this "Video" was real don't you think it would have been turned into his CO?
November 20, 2008

1:08 p.m.

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sargentvince writes:

Katie,

Nice write up little lady, but you are not very credible. Leave the Marine talk to the men who have served. War is always hell girl.

In the nam we had to shoot first, ask questions later.
November 20, 2008

1:37 p.m.

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Cowboy63 writes:

katiestone - let's say there was such a video.

Even if a video did exist and was destroyed - that wouldn't stand in the way of providing names, places, details, who was in charge of the operation, etc. Any video such as this would have to be accompanied with a written statement providing these details or else it could just be some theatrics taped outside Bakersfield for all anyone knows.

Take the whole video story with a grain of salt roughly the size of a '68 Buick.
November 20, 2008

1:43 p.m.

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leatherneck writes:

katiestone: that's what I thought......

"There is a lot of corruption that we don't hear about because it would taint the image we're supposed to have of this war."

spoken like a true liberal
November 20, 2008

1:46 p.m.

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Hoontz writes:

Any of you who think you know what's what in this case ought to go watch a free documentary here:
http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2008/soldie...
It's called "Soldiers of Conscience" and it's one of the more powerful documentaries I've ever seen. One of the main vets featured is now the Chairman of the Board of the Iraq Veterans Against the War. He's a true hero, one whose example I wish Lance Hering had known about and followed.
November 20, 2008

1:46 p.m.

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katiestone writes:

I got this info from an interview the Westword did with Steve Powers in 2007. It's called An Uphill Battle and you can find it on their website. According to Powers, Hering took all of his video equipment with him on the run. In addition, the men mentioned from Pendleton--from Hering's unit--were later convicted of war crimes. In June of 2006, seven (or eight, depending on which stories you read) Marines and Navy corpsmen were charged in the death of Hashim Ibrihim Awad. There were also three from the same unit charged for repeatedly raping an Iraqi woman.
November 20, 2008

1:57 p.m.

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katiestone writes:

If the video does exist, maybe he was scared to turn it in...or maybe he destroyed it. Regardless, he was justifiably afraid. And given the situation, and the fact that they were on their way to have him evaluated by a psychiatrist before he was arrested, Hering was and probably is experiencing some pretty heavy PTSD. I'm not saying that this justifies his actions, I think that we as a society need to look further into why people do the things they do before being so hateful.

And leatherneck, if being a liberal means that I do research beyond this newspaper and that I have compassion for other human beings who have seen and experienced things far more horrific than I could ever imagine, then so be it. Your sweeping generalization does me no harm.
November 20, 2008

1:57 p.m.

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leatherneck writes:

"the Westword" Hu?
It must be true then......
Sure
November 20, 2008

2:10 p.m.

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d1234 writes:

katiestone,
What color is the sky in your world? Is it all rosebuds and skittles? What is the army's job? To kill people and break things. They are not there to compose diplomacy or "there there" to soldiers who have a rough time carrying out their prime directive. If Mr. Herring didn't want to kill people and break things, then the peace corps is his other choice. I was in the Navy, on a submarine pointing weapons at our enemies. If the civilian government of my country told me to pull the trigger, I did. I didn't stop to think of other's feelings. I did my job. If I had run away (no small feat on a sub) I would have expected to be punished. No exceptions. Put this guy away in Leavenworth making little rocks out of big rocks. Maybe then he will have learned his lesson.
November 20, 2008

2:10 p.m.

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johnson writes:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Steve Powers the guy who helped fake Hering's death? If so, I doubt he's a real reliable source concerning this mysterious video.
November 20, 2008

2:15 p.m.

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d1234 writes:

I believe that this is what is wrong with our society. We are more worried about someone's feelings and the events surrounding their actions than the consequences of those actions. Kids, your decisions have results, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Let's stop coddling the bad decisions and start punishing them and we will eventually have a better world.
November 20, 2008

2:16 p.m.

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johnson writes:

Regardless of who Powers is, where does he get his information and how does he back it up? katiestone, how about some names and dates for the Marines convicted of murder. You have the name of the Iraqi.Or didn't the article you read have that info?
November 20, 2008

2:20 p.m.

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Hoontz writes:

Two quotes from Camilo Mejia, the Iraq War vet I mentioned from the "Soldiers of Conscience" documentary, might add something to some of the black-and-white comments of other military veterans on this site:

"I say without any pride that I did my job as a soldier. I commanded an infantry squad in combat and we never failed to accomplish our mission. But those who called me a coward, without knowing it, are also right. I was a coward not for leaving the war, but for having been a part of it in the first place. Refusing and resisting this war was my moral duty, a moral duty that called me to take a principled action. I failed to fulfill my moral duty as a human being and instead I chose to fulfill my duty as a soldier. All because I was afraid. I was terrified, I did not want to stand up to the government and the army, I was afraid of punishment and humiliation. I went to war because at the moment I was a coward, and for that I apologize to my soldiers for not being the type of leader I should have been."

"To the troops, I want to say that there is a way out. We signed a contract, and we swore to protect the constitution and to fight for freedom and democracy, but that's not what we're doing in Iraq. And if it means jail, or if it means disgrace or shame, then that's what it's going to take.... [T]here is no higher freedom that can be achieved than the freedom we achieve when we follow our conscience, and that's something that we can live by and never regret."
November 20, 2008

2:24 p.m.

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Cowboy63 writes:

johnson writes: "Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Steve Powers the guy who helped fake Hering's death?"

You got a point there. When you have a probation violation, faked your own death, insurance scam to your name - it's hard to take much he says seriously. He's muddied the waters of his own credibility. Why didn't he present his evidence before going AWOL? Even immediately after would have worked. If that's the ONE piece of evidence you are banking on to clear your name, you would think he would guard it with his life.

His own Choices are his worst enemy. The Marines caught a deserter - nothing more.
November 20, 2008

2:25 p.m.

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johnson writes:

katiestoned wrote:"Lance Hering was not a felon until he went AWOL. The burglary charge wasn't a real burglary. Lance was an avid climber. When he was 18, he and his best friend scaled the wall of the Savers in Boulder one night. They didn't steal anything, they just wanted to climb the wall. "
Like they couldn't find any rock walls to climb in the ROCKY MOUNTAINS!
November 20, 2008

2:28 p.m.

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elkman writes:

katiestone
Thanks for the info from Westword.
Read through it and found that the girlfriend said "Lance had once spoken about faking his own death, moving to another country and then having his brother--the beneficiary of his life-insurance policy--funnel the money to him". Anyone else smell something fishy here besides me? Steve Powers (his accomplice in this fake disapperance) and Mr Hering also had a discussion about flak jackets. Mr Hering indicated that he needed 10, for the rest of his buddies when he went back to Iraq. So, at this point, he intends on going back to Iraq. And thinks enough of these "murderers" to take them new flak jackets? Then, after a couple of weeks, Mr Hering's story changes. He then told Steve Powers a different story.

I think that Steve Powers and Lance Hering are both liars. It is interesting reading and I bet most people will see right through the lies and attempted cover ups.

So, thanks katiestone for re-inforcing my beliefs about this liar, cheater, and coward. (The article was written by Adam Cayton-Holland on April 4, 2007 for the Westword).
November 20, 2008

2:47 p.m.

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JohnLowe writes:

Why should anyone believe Lance Hering, Steve Powers, or, for that matter, any of the apologists for Hering's actions? We know, for sure, that there has been systematic deception in the past.
November 20, 2008

2:48 p.m.

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johnson writes:

Thanks elkman for digging into the rest of the story. The more I read about this Hering guy the more his story smells like my boot after a day in the corral. He was gonna take back flak jackets for his buddies? Oh puleeze. And his buddy Steve's stories smell like my other boot. Question: is Hering's brother gonna be prosecuted as an accessory? I think everyone involved should be charged with insurance fraud (if any monies were paid out). Wait'll those lawyers get done with them. They'll all be in the soup line next Thanksgiving.
November 20, 2008

3:06 p.m.

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cassidy22 writes:

What you guys are missing about his story... is not that he was just scared to go back to Iraq, and get killed in war... he was scared the men in his OWN UNIT might kill him. He knows something, something we can't even imagine, and he's afraid that knowledge will get him killed. THAT'S why you all call him a coward, he's afraid his own men might turn on him. The RMN has alluded to this a few times, but has no details, and everyone is so quick to judge him, but you DON'T KNOW HIS STORY.
November 20, 2008

3:13 p.m.

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elkman writes:

cassidy22
He is a PROVEN liar. So is Steve Powers. You are the one that does not "get it". He was willing to take back flak jackets to the very men who were going to kill him? I read the entire interview with the liar Steve Powers. Do yourself a favor and realize that liars are always liars. These two clowns thought they could play a game on the government and law enforcement and lost. Does someone need to hit you over the head with a base ball bat to help you see the truth? How can you beleive a liar?
November 20, 2008

3:17 p.m.

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johnson writes:

cassidy22 writes:

What you guys are missing about his story... is not that he was just scared to go back to Iraq, and get killed in war... he was scared the men in his OWN UNIT might kill him."

And that's why he was going to return with 10 flak jackets for his buddies that were going to kill him. The fact is, if there were muderous Marines in his unit, they wouldn't have let him leave Iraq in the first place. You think they'd let him go Stateside with accusations of murders? Ridiculous! Apparently ol' Lance doesn't know his own story.
November 20, 2008

3:59 p.m.

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leatherneck writes:

johnson & elkman:
I am with you guys.... The story doesn't add up
November 20, 2008

4:20 p.m.

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zerotolerance writes:

Hering is getting a bad rap, I would rather serve jail time than get murdered in the war. I hate hypocrites, you guys always want to drag someone else in the mud. But if it were you or your family you would want special treatment. Let him go, so he can cut down some trees for christmas!!!!
November 20, 2008

4:22 p.m.

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PaleoConservative writes:

If he mans up and takes his punishment, treat him like a man. If he tries to weasel out, treat him like a weasel. He's still got a lot of life ahead of him, so I hope that he takes the first option and tries to make something out of the rest of his life.
November 20, 2008

4:30 p.m.

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johnson writes:

I don't know if I missed it, but did Hering actually see any combat? Granted he was in Iraq, but so are a lot of administrators and pencil pushers. I'd just like to know his actual duty status.
November 20, 2008

4:43 p.m.

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Cowboy63 writes:

zerotolerance writes: "Hering is getting a bad rap, I would rather serve jail time than get murdered in the war."

Easy fix. Then don't volunteer in the first place.
November 20, 2008

6:24 p.m.

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CSUGrad69 writes:

It is difficult to read through the nasty comments about a person who obviously has problems. We can only hope that your sons do not have the same problems. However, my reading of the comments suggests that most of you must be perfect, and would only have perfect children. I would suggest that many, if not all, of us are not perfect. As the old homage goes, "let those without sin cast the first stone".
November 20, 2008

9:56 p.m.

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BJG writes:

This Iraq thing is so wrong. We encourage these kids to join up by giving them lots of money and feed them this propaganda that they will come back as better people...for going over there and defending this country against...what exactly? The Republican administration should be held accountable for all of the deaths of US soldiers and innocent Iraq citizens. Bush, Cheney, Gates, Rumsfield, Rice should all go to gitmo....as prisoners, and spend at least 8 years waiting for trial.
November 21, 2008

7:20 a.m.

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elkman writes:

CSUGrad69
Everyone has a right to an opinion. I really do not see comments that are nasty. Many, including mine are based on the press and other articles. None of us are claiming to be perfect. But, we all have a right to an opinion. You, and your "better than thou" attitude need to understand that people have a right to an opinion. If I need a preacher, I'll go to church. This young man has been proven to be a liar, cheat, and a coward. I have a right to call a spade a spade.
November 21, 2008

7:38 a.m.

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elkman writes:

BJG
You are like so many others. Make excuses for everything. Instead of sticking to the issue, you want to go off on a tangent and talk about your liberal views on the war. That way, you don't make Mr Hering take responsibility for his actions. If you have kids, do you raise them to not take responsibility? Do you make excuses for them? Just curious.
November 21, 2008

7:56 a.m.

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johnson writes:

Hering is a liar. He tried faking his death. He lied about other Marines wanting to murder him. He lied about supplying flak jackets to these same murderous comrades. He lied about turning himself in. He lied about not seeing his father for 2 years. He lied to the guy who took him in to work on the tree farm. These are not spur of the moment lies either. They were all well thought out to suit his adgenda of the moment. His father is a liar as well. Apple didn't fall too far from the tree here. Let the Marines have him and serve justice. Too bad the Corps doesn't get to deal with Daddy.
November 21, 2008

9:06 a.m.

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elkman writes:

katiestone
One last question. The Westword article stated that Mr Hering and Steve Powers went to El Dorado canyon on August 29, 2006, "intent on committing a crime". Yet, you state that the very Marines that wanted to kill him were convicted in June of 2006.
Therefore, these guys were not even around to hurt him if he went back. Mr Hering knew all this. So, do you get my point? He staged all this knowing full well that the "murderers" were already convicted. What do you have to say about that, katiestone?

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Home › News › Local News

Mysterious missing Marine lived on tree farm, called himself 'Nine'

By Kevin Vaughan, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 19, 2008 at 3:52 p.m.Updated November 20, 2008 at 9:57 a.m.

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Published November 19, 2008 at 3:52 p.m.
Updated November 20, 2008 at 9:57 a.m.