Lance Cpl. Shawn Patrick Hefner was born on December 4, 1986 and died on November 13, 2009 in Helmand Province of Afghanistan. He was killed when he stepped on an improvised bomb while on foot patrol.
L. Cpl. Hefner joined the United States Marine Corps in January, 2008 and was deployed to Afghanistan in June, 2009. He was an assault amphibious vehicle crewman with the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
L. Cpl. Hefner was born in Kansas City, Missouri and moved with his family to Hico, Texas in 1991. He graduated from Hico High School in 2006.
According to his father, a former Marine, he love the outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping.
L. Cpl. Hefner’s flag draped casket arrived at Dover, Delaware Air Force Base in the early morning hours of November 15. His family and many Marines were on hand to view his transfer from the transport aircraft to the hearse by a Marine Corps carry team.
L. Cpl. Hefner made his final trip home on November 19th when his casket was flown to the Waco Regional Airport by a charted jet. It arrived at the airport at 10:55 a.m. On hand to welcome home this hero were over 50 Patriot Guard Riders, a Marine Corps honor guard, his family and friends.
L. Cpl. Hefner was escorted on this final trip by a woman Marine Sergeant. She stood at rigid attention, saluting, as his casket was removed from the aircraft, placed onto an hydraulic lift, then lowered to ground level. Six Marines, dressed in full dress blues, then carried the casket to the nearby hearse. A pair of bag pipes played Amazing Grace as the casket was slowly transferred to the hearse. The Patriot Guard Riders stood at attention just feet away, rendering the hand salute to honor this Marine for his service.
The funeral procession then left the airport lead by a Texas State Trooper and the Patriot Guard Riders. The procession drove to Hico, Texas to the Rutledge-Jones Funeral Home. All along the way, people stood in respect for this hero. Signs along the way counted down the miles until he was finally home.
As the procession passed through Hico, the streets were lined with citizens and the students of Hico Schools. At the end of the procession, mounted horseback riders carried American Flags.
Funeral services were held on November 20 at the First Baptist Church and L. Cpl. Hefner was laid to rest at the Hico Cemetery after the rendering of full military honors by the United States Marine Corps.
Left to cherish his memory are his mother and father, a brother, a sister, a grandfather and grandmother, and numerous other family and friends.
With thanks to The Dallas Morning News and The Hico News Review for biographical information.
Link to video of the arrival in Hico.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT-sRtnDIYw
Thank you for honoring my son.
ReplyDeleteRobin Hefner - proud mother of LCpl Shawn P Hefner