20 March 1983 – 8 May 2005
LCPL Lawrence Robert Philippon is remembered today on his birthday and every day. His service is eternally honored.
20 March 1983 – 8 May 2005
We remember Lance Corporal Lawrence Robert Philippon, today on his Birthday,
Larry, 22 years old, of West Hartford, was taken from us on 8 May 2005, by enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Al Qa’im ( Al Came), Iraq.
He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
As a member of the Marine Corps Color Guard, Lance Cpl. Philippon had carried the flag at the funeral for President Reagan.
But his heart was in Iraq. Ray, his dad, said that his son had asked to be assigned to the front lines.
“He’d been begging them for a while. Even though he enjoyed the color guard, he really wanted to be in Iraq. That is where it is all happening,” Ray Philippon said.
Before they received the news, Leesa and Ray Philippon were feeling sad for parents who lost loved ones in the war.
Ray reflected his thoughts at the time,
“All day long we were feeling guilty that our son was safe and we were feeling bad for all the other 1,600 moms that their kids were lost in Iraq and we didn’t even know our son had joined that club.”
It was Mother’s Day and their 24th wedding anniversary when Ray and Leesa Philippon learned of Larry’s heroic actions and ultimate sacrifice in Iraq.
LCPL Philippon is a graduate of Conard High School where he played hockey.
He is the 24th service member from Connecticut who was lost in Iraq or Afghanistan since March 2002.
We remember. Thank you, LCPL Philippon and your fallen warrior brothers & sisters.
We honor your loved ones. Mothers. Fathers. Sisters, Brothers, Sons, Daughters, Friends.
Thoughts and prayer shared by Leesa on 2 May 2024;
The verse shown on Larry’s image below is the verse the chaplain shared at Larry’s grave side service at Arlington.
The idea of our day of death being better than our day of birth seems backward. I know the absolute joy of the days of birth so I do have an essence of the joy that awaits us. But, I don’t think we will truly grasp it until we ourselves enter through death’s door into the glorious presence of God and the home He has prepared for us.
Christ backs up that promise:
”In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.“
John 14:2-3
“Death is the end of dying. On the day of the believer’s death dying is for ever done with. The saints who are with God shall never die any more. Life is wrestling, struggling; but death is the end of conflict: it is rest-victory.” (Spurgeon)
“Consider it spiritually, and, dear brethren, what is a good name? A good name is a name that is written in the Lamb’s book of life, and that is better than the sweetest of all ointments.” (Spurgeon)
Christ gathered up all of our sins and carried them to the cross. He was punished, tortured and crucified so that we will be able to go Home, pure and righteous. The joy of going Home will be better than any joy we taste on this earth.
I can only imagine! And, I do and have for 19 years. I wait in faith, crying a river that leads to an ocean of love. How blessed I am to be Larry’s mom and I am truly thankful for the unspeakable joy that awaits those who believe in the Maker of Heaven!
CONNECTICUT VETERANS BULLETIN 