Gregory Patrick Kent

The database page for Gregory Patrick Kent

2 Jun 2001 Greg Kent was a track star from Lawrence Mass. He joined the Marines because he felt it was the right thing to do. He won many track and field medals while in the Marines. His orders were changed from Vietnam to train for the "68 Summer Olympics". He refused the orders and requested to go to Vietnam with his unit. He was at Khe Sanh during the siege and was killed on March 28, 1968 during a rocket barrage. His former high school (Lawrence High) closed the day of his funeral. He was my brother's best friend. My brother joined the Marines after he graduated from Lawrence High in June of 1968. He went to Vietnam and fortunately made it home to his family. From a friend, Tom Laverriere tomlaverriere@aol.com

06 Feb 2003 Greg, Competitor and Champion. When people talk of the best and the brightest, you were among them. The years have gone by too fast without you. I think of you as a friend. You have been missed. Kinch From a friend and competitor, John Kinchla xinuan@hotmail.com

08 Apr 2003 I was only fourteen when Greg went to Vietnam and was a neighbor and friend to Greg's brother Jim. He was always a hero to us and I miss him to this day. I'll always remember how he made everyone feel important when you were around him. Raymond Hey arahey@aol.com

11 Jun 2003 What is a Friend I had a friend many years ago, he taught me many things, How to pitch a fast ball and really make it sting. He was always playing jokes funny as can be, He played them on everybody, yes including me. He was good at many things, but running he was great, He ran long distances, he was never late; Track was his love it took him place to place, You always read the newspaper, Kent has another race; He broke all kinds of records, that was in his plan, He name was mentioned in colleges, but there he wouldn't stand; So to his folks he did talk, standing straight and true, I joined the U.S. Marines to fight for the Red, White, and Blue; His unit was called and sent off to war, He wrote me many letters and told me what he saw; I sent him that last letter and told him I would be, A U. S. Marine, so that he could see; But he never got that letter, he died in that war, I went in his place and know what he saw; A day don't go by that I don't think of him, I'll always remember Greg, smiling with a grin... Semper Fi Greg... From a friend and brother Marine, Billy Laverriere Methuen, Mass. 01844 massusmc@aol.com

16 Jun 2003 Greg. You will always be remembered by those who knew you. A guy who liked to kid around, who LOVED to run. A straight arrow, just an overall nice guy. I think of you often and the sacrifice you made for all of us. Words can never be enough. Veterans and citizens alike, we stand tall, say a prayer and salute you. From a friend, John Paul Lenotte elaine.john2@verizon.net

18 Nov 2003 I was a high school runner when the Lawrence Veterans Stadium track was dedicated to Greg Kent in the late 1970s. As an athlete, 40 years later, Greg's standards are still amazingly high. And Greg has made the ultimate sacrifice to all Americans, to help insure our freedom. From an admirer, John E-Mail will be forwarded by the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

17 Dec 2003 I am the widow of Roger J. Desharnais, USCG, 1961-1964, who, I'm proud to say was one of the founders of the Greg P. Kent Chapter Veterans' Group, which is now known as Veterans' Northeast Outreach. The Greg P. Kent Chapter was formed in my home in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1985. I had the pleasure of meeting with Greg's mother Agnes, who told me all about her beloved son, Greg. In her words, Greg did not want to take the "back-door" out on his Marine Corps friends. Greg made a decision to remain in Vietnam and lost his life there. To all my Vietnam brothers, Semper Fi Phyllis Desharnais pdesharnais@comcast.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall Bravo Company, 1/26 Marines, lost two men on 28 March 1968: LCpl Gregory P. Kent and PFC Jimmie L. McRae of Blenheim, South Carolina.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is a friend, Tom Laverriere tomlaverriere@aol.com  2 Jun 2001

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 12/25/2003