Missing Marine in Boulder

[Ice Pirate]

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news...80/detail.html
I read this morning that the young Marine who took a fall up in Eldarado Canyon while on leave, and later turned missing, is actually AWOL. It seems he was never in that canyon. His "Buddy" filed a fruadulant report to cover for his friend. Now his buddy is under arrest and will have to pay restitution for all costs incurred for the search.

I was told that this particular Marine is on his 3rd tour in Iraq. To be honest, after that many times over there, I can understand him not wanting to go back. What I can't understand is why he didn't just run and save the searchers, as well as his buddy, all the trouble. Now his buddy, Steve Powers, is facing criminal charges of which the restitution will keep him in debt for the rest of his life, and he may even be looking at jail. Meanwhile, young mr. Hering is on the lamb from the Marine Corps, and will probably end up getting caught and jailed, not only for desersion but also as a conspiritor in his own disappearance. What a bone head! If he'd have just deserted, he'd only be looking at that, and his friend would not be facing jail and worse, and his family would only be slightly shamed, instead of being publicly humileated in the National News.

What are your thoughts?

[Hoser]

He volunteered, he raised his hand. Nobody forced him to join.

Nobody said it would be easy.

[Marlin]

What Tom said. They still shoot 'em for desertion during war time?

[7idl]

I figured as much from day 1

[redleg1one]

My gut told me the same. It didn't make sense when they kept saying how much of an outdoorsman he was.

I figured as much from day 1

[Hoser]

They still shoot 'em for desertion during war time?

Dont know, but... that Marine that took off from Iraq to Beirut a couple years ago and said he was kidnapped, got sent home to await court-martial. The Corps screwed up and let him take some leave. He never came back to face the music. To this day he is still AWOL (last I heard) and the Corps doesent much like to talk about it.

[pickenup]

The only thing the wife said about this today was.......

I told ya so.

We have thought this for a few days now.

Too bad.

[westy1970]

Officially they can still execute for deserting during a time of war. his lawyer could make a case that we are not at war since the Pres' officially ended it in '03. He should face the music if he does not return by Monday. If you don't want to go back, there other ways of going about it working through system.

[thedave1164]

Officially they can still execute for deserting during a time of war. his lawyer could make a case that we are not at war since the Pres' officially ended it in '03. He should face the music if he does not return by Monday. If you don't want to go back, there other ways of going about it working through system.

Officially we have not declared war, congress just authorized the president to use military force, that is not a declaration of war.

[westy1970]

Good point. So, they probably won't execute him. I know I would rather go back then face military prison time.