Marines pick up AWOL Hering in Washington

Rocky Mountain News

Published November 22, 2008 at 1:36 p.m.

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PORT ANGELES, Wash. — A Marine escort picked up Lance Cpl. Lance Hering at the Clallam County jail at 10:15 a.m. Mountain time today to take the AWOL Marine to Camp Pendleton in San Diego, Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict told the Peninsula Daily News.

Port Angeles police officers arrested Lance Cpl. Hering — who may face desertion charges after staging his disappearance in Colorado and spending 26 months in hiding — last Sunday at William R. Fairchild International Airport in Port Angeles.

Hering was reported missing in August 2006. A friend said Hering had wandered off after he was injured in a rock-climbing accident near Boulder.

After a massive search, authorities concluded the report was a hoax.

A $5,000 bail was posted for Hering on Thursday for a being a fugitive from another state. Boulder had a warrant for Hering for a parole violation.

Posting bail cleared the way for Hering to be taken into military custody.

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Comments

November 22, 2008

4:34 p.m.

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thevealchop writes:

LET HIM GO!
November 22, 2008

5:16 p.m.

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PikesPeakBob writes:

You signed the line, you did the training, and you let your fellow Marines down. Way to go!
November 22, 2008

5:26 p.m.

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arsenal4life writes:

Yeah i guess you're both right, we should let someone get away with not fulfilling a commitment. It doesn't matter if you are for war or against it when you enlist in the military you should be aware that you might have to fight a war you don't completely agree with. There are many other ways to serve without fighting, like joining the peace corps. So to me he deserves what ever punishment he gets.
November 22, 2008

5:27 p.m.

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arsenal4life writes:

PS: The war in Iraq had already started when he enlisted so I don't really know where else he thought he would end up.
November 22, 2008

5:33 p.m.

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snowbelly writes:

Its always faithful, not sometimes maybe faithful. The new president proposes many more brigades to intensify the war in afghanistan, including mauy thousands of marines. Perhaps they will not disobey their commander in chief. I wonder how many of his supporters will make up those brigades. Curiouser and curiouser.
November 22, 2008

5:44 p.m.

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Garip writes:

Ah, yes, the Marines: the few, the proud.... the not so lovely afterall :

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=62...
November 22, 2008

5:52 p.m.

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jeffrusmc writes:

I have read through all the comments and have this to offer;
I spent a few years of my career in the Marine Corps as a cross country chaser and spent more time with deserters than I would have liked. This individual's decision to run rather than perform his duty was just that, a personal choice, it has very little to do with the war in Iraq. For all the deserters I have talked with during this time a a chaser, they joined for reasons other than what most Marines join for. I would say war or no war this guy would have run either way. Deserters regardless of branch of service are not interested in serving their country or at a basic level even being gainfully employed anywhere.

To all the Vets who have commented here about the 1st ammendment I agree with you. It is a right of each American and we have served to protect not only this right but rights of all americans and our way of life. For those of you who have not served it's very hard for you to understand the emotion of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine who have experienced the war first hand.

To provide this individual with such exposure seems ridiculous to me. I would venture to guess there are over 100 deserters across the country from all branches. None of which deserve our attention or the sympathies of any american because of the choice they made. If this guy would have stayed and simply refused to go to Iraq for reasons he really believed in he would have been discharged anyway. Would he have been an outcast and treated harshly, you bet. However, if he felt strongly about his convictions he should stand and face the consequences of a poor desicion that he made. Instead he chose to run. Just like all the deserters before him and all that will follow in his foot steps.

Semper Fi to all the Marines here and thanks to all who have served.
November 22, 2008

6:38 p.m.

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reddog writes:

What a big baby, he knew what he was getting into. I am myself a Vietnam Vet and currently my 20 year old son is serving proudly in the US Army. There is a good reason deserters are punished, the team depends on you and when your AWOL you expose the others so again grow up.
November 22, 2008

7:32 p.m.

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reddog writes:

Hotfangs, your a complete idiot and don't even deserve a response...
November 22, 2008

7:54 p.m.

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TMcna82298 writes:

I would like to know, is this guy ever going to take up the sport of marshal arts? He is going to get out of the joint, and he may consider the sport. This guy is going to be but through hell. He is going to go out to California, and he is going to stay out at Camp Pendleton. I have been there, and I know what it is like. I was in the Marines. I completed my service, and I was honorably discharged. Lance Hering will be made to wear a pink shirt, and call himself deserter.
The thought is, he will be released. He may have to to some time, but he will be released. We are bummed out by the way the US Military has bungled the job.
November 22, 2008

8:33 p.m.

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iggypuppet writes:

I am anti-Iraq war, anti-Bush and pro-soldier. However, I think that Mr. Hering should face appropriate justice if convicted.

Desertion is the most serious of military crimes. Those who desert spit in the face of all military people (I am not a veteran) deserve to pay a price. Not death, not life in prison, but a 10 year gig would be appropriate. He made a commitment to this country, he failed to live up to it.

At the same time, there is the question about sending out brave and loyal troops into hell 3-4 times. No soldier should have to serve in a war zone more than once, and certainly never after being wounded in battle. This guy didn't desert during his first tour, he deserted in anticipation of his 2nd. One part of me says that he should serve the same amount of time as the corrupt man who sent him there in the first place. So how about this... Mr, Herring serves the same amount of time that the prosecutors of Iraq spend.

How about something in the middle?

Hering is a deserter, but I could be too under similar circumstances. He shouldn't get off free, but he shouldn't be hung for it. Give him as much time as will take to teach him a lesson as to what is involved in keeping a commitment.

Let dad go... any man who wouldn't do whatever it takes for his son isn't worth beans... don't make the old man go to jail for loving his son unconditionally.
November 23, 2008

2:25 a.m.

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NB writes:

Anyone who doesn’t recognize the problems that could arise when a military member is free to follow only the orders they approve of is blind to the true nature of our world.

He must be punished. Plain and simple.

Also, in my experience a deserters motives are seldom so noble. A closer investigation usually reveals that a person deserts when there girlfriend leaves them, when they have fallen out of favor with there squad mates due to poor performance, or they wash out of a program that they’ve build their future around.

Of course it’s the perfect opportunity for the anti-war crowd to jump on and try to use one persons bad decision to make us all realize that there own cowardice is actually heroic.
November 23, 2008

8:15 a.m.

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Cowboy63 writes:

HotFangs writes: "Thank you, Lance Hering, for your brave decision to leave an inhuman, soul killing situation."

Hey, HotFangs. All he had to do was NOT volunteer in the first place.

Your anti-war "hero" already has a probation violation, faked his death, tried an insurance scam, deserted and has lied about so many things along the way nobody believes anything he says any more.

You might want to find a better role-model.
November 23, 2008

8:16 a.m.

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LuvAmerica writes:

YSMF, your expertise on what constitutes the makeup of "real" Americans would be enhanced if you would spell America with a capital "A".
November 23, 2008

9:35 a.m.

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Davek80501 writes:

Cowboy63 writes: Hotfangs,You might want to find a better role model.

Criminals and liers are the liberal role model.
November 23, 2008

9:36 a.m.

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Davek80501 writes:

Punishment for desertion at minimum should be loss of citizenship, anyone who "knowingly" aids and abets a person in desertion should receive the same punishment. Let Lance his father and anyone else who "knowingly" helped him find another country to live in. If you desert or helped someone desert your country fine you don't have a country anymore. And only get a 1 week visa every 5 years to visit the USA, if you stay past the 7 day visa, 1 year in prison, no visitation during that year and unable to ever get a visa again.
November 23, 2008

9:39 a.m.

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dadio161 writes:

LCPL Herring does not deserve to be hung...a firing squad will do !
November 23, 2008

10:49 a.m.

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reddog writes:

My God where is this hotfangs coming from? Guys thanks for your support against this wussy keep it coming.
November 23, 2008

11 a.m.

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haloguy628 writes:

HotFangs you delusional self righteous trilobite. The clouds in your brain make you sleepy.
November 23, 2008

11:25 a.m.

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colowildcat writes:

Women are considered second class citizens due to the patriarchal religious system most westerns embrace.

Hotfangs, I agree with your observation that some of the people posting here, enjoy the idea of this young man being sodomized in prison.

Thank you for your well thought out post.
November 23, 2008

11:42 a.m.

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haloguy628 writes:

BTW HotFangs, when I was in the 82nd Airborne guys who chickened out in the air (post JMPI) and refused to jump were made to wear leg caps and pick up pine cones all day long in front of the unit HQ while being out processed from the unit. Yes humiliation has it's place in the real world.

The point people like you HotFangs are missing (and which BTW points out to character flaw in your personality) is that if one makes a commitment then that person is bound by that commitment. Your laissez-faire attitude will always dictate that anything goes if one does not agree. Consequences be damned. That is until somebody tries that on you. Then all hell breaks out and you screech like stabbed pig.

In military commitment and loyalty is more acute because unit cohesion and the ability to fight and stay alive is dependent on every single member of that unit. You have to have trust in the individual next to you once bullets start to fly. That is the time real character comes out and the posers are weeded out.

As every combat veteran knows, it is not the higher ideals or country or apple pie that one fights for. It's your buddy that you fight for and one needs to know that the buddy will fight for you right back. You have to have assurance that your buddy will not suddenly decide that he/she does not agree with the government and why we went to war and leaves you hanging.

People like you HotFangs do not have that kind of sense of responsibility. In your opinion anything goes and no action is condemnable. You always try to cloud issues and glaze over consequences. Real consequences that may have deadly impact on the people who you do not agree with, not to mention the damage to the fabric of society that your recklessness creates.

...but that's not your problem HotFangs, cos you are always the victim. Right?
November 23, 2008

12:52 p.m.

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Garip writes:

HotFangs: YOU ARE ONE OF THE FEW CALMER VOICES HERE, that's why you see these blood-thirsty idiots, who don't even know the whole story as to WHY Hering took off, looking to hang him. They are, without a doubt, some of the most simple-minded people on the planet.

Most of these idiots think that he left because he didn't like the war, wasn't supportive, was afraid of dying (gee, can't say that I blame him there) BUT, he wasn't afraid of those things. He was afraid of his FELLOW marines, who were way the fkcu out there and doing some seriously illegal things and his life was in danger FROM THEM, not the Iraqis.
November 23, 2008

1:07 p.m.

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gardog writes:

The kid is obviously emotionally challenged as well as ethically challenged. Most likely learned ethics and harmed emotionally by his parents, or teachers/professors or some other some other in a role of "authority". He needs to serve justice for his failure to live up to his voluntary commitments - perhaps he'll be a better man.
November 23, 2008

1:13 p.m.

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Duckster writes:

Hear, hear! These liberals who applaud this useless,cowardly POS for breaking his word and running away like a sissy are the same cretins who clog our courts up with lawsuits every time that they think that someone has violated any sort of a promise made to them.

That's why I could never be a liberal. That whole bit about having to shave two faces every morning would get to me.
November 23, 2008

1:38 p.m.

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seeker writes:

This Marine served a year in Iraq, under fire. None of you knows what happened to him even if you served in Iraq. No one experiences the same war the same way. Whatever his story is, he deserves some credit for his service.

You who condemn him with talk big. A man who has see action, been in battle and says he was never afraid is a fool or a liar. War can change a man. What you see, what you do....war is sometimes necessary but it is never pretty. The Marines have him now. I say a prayer for him and hope that he can come out of this with his soul undamaged, his heart clean. I pray he comes out of this able to live a life with honor and some happiness. Remember, he did serve. He was in Iraq for a year under fire, as a Marine. Respect that.
November 23, 2008

5:25 p.m.

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Eli writes:

I don't see why this guy is getting so much media attention. Screw the prison time, that's just wasting taxpayer money. Give him a dishonorable discharge and be done with it. I think the impact that a dishonorable discharge will have on his work future is punishment enough.
November 23, 2008

6:21 p.m.

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Heringblood writes:

An 18-year-old rarely knows himself and has been scientifically proven not to have developed the longterm decision making processes in the brain yet. Why do we let them, pressure them on high school campuses across America to join a fruitless and immoral war?

A local Marine recruiter was just convicted of having sex with a 17-year-old high school girl, a student where he was actively recruiting.

Are Marines all noble, great soldiers just because they stay? A Marine who leaves the craziness of killing civilians and joining the code of silence may be the more noble one.

Sure, he should of done it differently...but he is a kid! He made a mistake. He should pay retribution for the search and rescue. He should do community service for a year. He should write letters of apology, but in no way should he go to a brutal prison to be tortured.

I am sure he will go to prison. But, he is not a scumbag. The Marines who killed civilians are scumbags.

God bless you all and think about who Jesus would side with? The Marines and others running amuck waving their weapons, cussing at and abusing others? Or, the one who ran away from that?
November 23, 2008

6:28 p.m.

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Heringblood writes:

Thank God that Obama won.
November 23, 2008

7:15 p.m.

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chronic writes:

if you want to desert, that's your business ....

however, you jeopardized the safety of 100s of volunteers who risked their lives looking for you.

pay the bill for the search and go away.
November 24, 2008

2:19 p.m.

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elkman writes:

At last. Maybe justice will be served?

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Marines pick up AWOL Hering in Washington

Rocky Mountain News

Published November 22, 2008 at 1:36 p.m.

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