USMC Escort

[Dataport]

On Memorial Day, the name of a US Marine will be added to the Vietnam Memorial Wall. He died there in 1966, but his name was missed when it was erected. His mother, in her 80's, will be attending, but is wheel-chair bound. Does anyone know how I could get a USMC Escort to take her from her hotel, about 2 blks away, to the Wall and back for the ceremony?

[GySgtRet]

First let me say thank you for asking for assistance. I wish his mother well during this solemn time, it will still be difficult for her I am sure. I have got a link to Marine Barracks Washington D.C. or 8th & Eye. What is the name of the Marine if I may ask?
http://www.mbw.usmc.mil/Newmbw/

This page is posted under "B" or Bravo compant along with a phone number.
I hope this helps.

<CENTER>BRAVO COMPANY

</CENTER><CENTER>Body Bearers

</CENTER>
<TABLE height=111 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.mbw.usmc.mil/images/archive/small/BodyBearers.jpg The Body Bearer Section is a unit within Bravo Company, one of the ceremonial drill companies at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. The primary mission of the Body Bearer Section is to conduct funerals for Marines, former Marines and Marine family members at Arlington National Cemetery and the surrounding cemeteries in the Washington, D.C., area. The section is comprised of a sergeant section leader and 14 Marines.

On occasion, the Body Bearers are called to travel to different locations around the country to conduct funerals for senators, congressmen and congresswomen, heads of state, and former presidents. On special occasions and to render honors to visiting dignitaries and general officers, the section is tasked with conducting cannon salutes with the 40 millimeter gun mounts, located on the south side of the 8th and I parade deck.

The road to becoming a body bearer is not an easy one and has great physical requirements. A typical day for a body bearer includes ceremonial burial practice and hours of weight training and conditioning. The remainder of the day is spent attending infantry MOS proficiency training classes. Training also includes joint-service burials for high-ranking individuals and dignitaries. If you think you have the potential to serve with the United States Marine Corps Body Bearers, contact the Bravo Company 1stSgt at (202) 433-3301/2113. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<CENTER>http://www.mbw.usmc.mil/emblem.jpg</CENTER>

[Dataport]

Thx, and great idea. They're local here in DC, and should be able to spare one Marine to accompany her to the Ceremony. His name is Pfc Hans Lorenz. He was a Canandian who crossed over to NY to join the Marines. Long story, but our MC has denied his addition to the Wall twice - one which I had to go through the DoD to get the decision reversed. His mother will finally get her day of condolence for her only son.

[GySgtRet]

Sorry for the questions. What is your relationship to the Marine and family? Do you know what unit(s) he served with? I mean no disrespect at all. I am sure once the 1st Sgt gets the information confirmed it will not be a problem. Does anybody on this site know Pfc Hans Lorenz?

[Dataport]

No direct relationship, I'm merely a USMC-VN researcher. Pfc Lorenz was with 1/3Mar in Danang in 1966 when he was accidentally burned over 80% of his body. He was evac'd out and died a week later....but his name was missed when the Wall was erected in 1982. When his name was submitted to be added to the Wall, it was denied with the explanation that the USMC would only approve Additions if they were hostile-related....a misconception that goes against the Intent of the Memorial itself. I finally had to go to DoD directly to get this denial reversed and get his name approved to be etched.

So, I'm now trying to see if I can get a USMC honor escort to accompany his elderly mother over to the Wall on Memorial Day. Will be calling the 8th & I group today - it was a good suggestion.

[GySgtRet]

Thank you for getting back with me. I hope that it will work out for his mother. Let me know how this plays out please.

[MillRatUSMC]

Big Al I second your words to Bytor;


Your post, Sir, is quite disrepectful and I request a retraction.

[MillRatUSMC]

I fail to see why she would have to ask for a Marine Corps escort.
As it will be honoring one of our own.
I'm sure 8 & I will be doing all the arrangements for his addition.
I fail to see why his addition denial has to do with hostile-related.
There several on the "Wall" who were murdered by other Americans.
Several of the women fall into that category, besides many military Officers and Non-Commission Officers, who were fragged by their own troops.
At the time that Pfc Hans Lorenz enlisted in the Marine Corps, he was breaking laws of Canada as was L/Cpl Randall Kenneth Campbell also of Canada.
In fact Canadians that fought in Vietnam, are finding it hard getting aid for their ills from Vietnam.

[MillRatUSMC]

http://www.virtualwall.org/dl/LorenzHJ01a.htm

A little more of information on PFC Hans Lorenz...

[GySgtRet]

Thank you both for watching my back. I had researched this and had not had time to post it yet. Thanks MilRatUSMC for beating me to the punch. When I saw this guy post I started as soon as I saw it. I thought my questions were direct and to the point and he were in kind. I hope that Pfc Hans Lorenz mother can now have closure.

[GySgtRet]

Did you recieve a positive response for your request?

[GySgtRet]

Did you ever get a response to your resquest yet? I saw the name of this Marine mentioned to have his name put on the Viet Nam Memorial Wall but you never answered me back. Did you get the escort?

[Dataport]

Gunny, sry for a belated update - Memorial Day was a whirlwind.

After contacting 8th & I and explaining the plight of this mother - who spent 15 years trying to get her son's name on the Wall...they quickly elevated it to USMC-HQ in the Pentagon.

They arranged to provide a Major to escort her - a Vietnam vet - in full Dress Blues. They provided her transportation to/from the Ceremony, and afterwards presented her with a framed shadowbox that included his medals, Unit patch (1/3) and other memorabilia.

They also took a full film crew to the Wall the day his name was actually inscribed - their article can be read at:

http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/lookupstoryref/20065198036

Her own wounds were healed somewhat - and thanks for helping out on this special day.

Semper Fi,
Bruce Swander

[GySgtRet]

I was very honored to be able to help. If you have contact with her let her know she is Welcome.

Ed

[booksbenji]

http://www.thesquadbay.com/forum2/Smileys/default/handsalute.png