The Marine Vanishes

First Disappeared, Now a Deserter

By Richard Martin, 9-07-06

The story of Lance Hering,the off-duty Marine who allegedly disappeared in El Dorado Canyon State Park, has taken a dramatic turn: Hering's friend Steve Powers, 20, admitted late yesterday that he made up the story of Hering's head injury and vanishing so that the 21-year-old could avoid returning to Iraq, according to the Boulder County Sheriff's Department.

Whether Hering has taken off to Mexico, is living off the land in the Rocky Mtn. foothills, or is just on an extended walkabout before reporting (and probably facing time in the brig) remains unclear. It's pretty clear,though, that this is a case of the general military disaffection with the unpopular war in Iraq striking home in the person of one confused Marine.

At any rate, Hering has gone from the subject of an intensive and expensive search to a fugitive from justice. If he does not return to Camp Pendleton, Calif. by Monday he could face charges of desertion.

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