Published July 14, 2004

'He gave his life so others may live in peace'
Marine Cpl. Dallas L. Kerns, who died in Iraq, is laid to rest.

By Jeff Arnold
News-Leader Staff

Huddled in the front of a small stone chapel, the family of a 21-year-old Marine wept aloud as echoes of a lone Marine bugler's remembrance rang in the summer air.

A father and mother clung to one another Tuesday afternoon as 21 rifle shots were fired in honor of Cpl. Dallas L. Kerns, killed earlier this month in the Al Anbar province of Iraq, just west of Baghdad.

"He gave his life so others may live in peace," the Rev. Ken Roy said as he stood alongside a coffin covered with an American flag in the chapel at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery. "But today, Dallas is experiencing perfect peace."

At the time of his death, Kerns was on his second tour of duty in Iraq, where he served as a rifleman in the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regimen, 1st Division.

Kerns — the son of Connie Kerns of Springfield and Randy Feltner of Seneca, Kan. — died when his vehicle came under attack during a routine patrol, according to the Department of Defense.

Two other Marines — Lance Cpl. Michael S. Torres, 21, of El Paso, Texas, and Lance Cpl. John J. Vangyzen IV, 21, of Bristol, Mass. — also were killed during the enemy attack.

Kerns earned several honors, including the Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the War on Terrorism Expeditionary medal.

Alison Hamm's son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Kohout, first met Kerns when Kerns was a young Marine Corps recruit.

Kohout phoned his mother from Iraq on Tuesday morning after learning that she would attend the memorial service honoring his fallen comrade.

As the two talked, Hamm said her son remembered Kerns as a Marine who was "responsible and mature for his age" and who was a fine addition to the corps.

"I feel as though I have lost a son," Hamm said.

Pinned to one of the floral arrangements that lined the front of the chapel was a hand-written note offering a final sentiment to the 2001 graduate of Mountain Grove High School.

Dallas: You are America's hero — one of the finest and best. We will never forget you or your ultimate sacrifice.

Like Hamm, Shannie Henley didn't personally know Kerns but felt compelled to pay her respects to the young Marine. Pinned to her red jacket was a photo button bearing the image of her son, Lance Cpl. Darin Henley, who also is serving in Iraq.

"All of the soldiers over in Iraq are very brave — they're our heroes and sacrificing a lot so we can remain free," Henley said. "But you kind of live day to day hoping you don't get that phone call — that horrible phone call."

As a motorcade traveled down a hillside toward the chapel, Lance Cpl. Curtis "Glenn" Hensley stood at a distance, holding a small camcorder to his eye.

The Marine reservist from Aurora recently returned to the states from Iraq after being struck in the eye during battle.

Still showing the signs of war, Hensley watched as his fellow Marine's family hugged and shook the hands of family and friends.

"To me, since I was wounded, this all makes me wonder that this could have been me," Hensley said.

"I think seeing this drives (war) home for people instead of just seeing it on TV."

That was certainly the case for Hamm, who said while the Marine Corps is a brotherhood like none other, there is also a special bond that exists between the mothers of soldiers fighting overseas.

"No mother wants another mother to have to go through this," Hamm said.

"But I knew when my son left (for Iraq), I knew it could be me that was sitting in front of that chapel."