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Fallen Marine Honored - John Dunn
FOX 17 News – By: John Dunn
A fallen marine is honored at a special ceremony.
Lance Corporal Billy Spencer was awarded the silver star on Sunday.
He was killed in Iraq on December 28, 2006.
Now his friends, family, and fellow marines are making sure he is never forgotten.
The Marine Corps doesn’t give away silver stars easily.
Those who knew him will tell you, Lance Cpl. Billy Spencer was no ordinary marine.
"Billy was a hero to me before he joined the Marine Corps, but this makes him an American hero," says Billy’s father David Spencer.
In front of a large audience, the 20year old Spencer was honored with the award recognizing gallantry in action.
"There's no medal or ceremony, or parade big enough to commemorate what Billy did half a world away," says Lance Cpl. Luke Wikle.
While serving in Iraq, Spencer ran into the line of fire to help another marine, before being fatally wounded.
Now, his parents accept a silver star on their son’s behalf.
"I know any of you sitting here in the same situation would have done the same thing," says David Spencer.
It has been five and a half years since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and although the war goes on, it’s no longer front page news.
That’s where the group Rolling Thunder comes in.
"We try to represent the public and be here to make sure our soldiers know that they're appreciated and loved by the public," says Rolling Thunder Chapter President Bob Ousley.
The motorcycle riding organization will attend dozens of events like this one to pay tribute to America’s heroes.
"Our motto is they are not forgotten. They need to have their story told, they need to be remembered," says Ousley.
It’s why Billy Spencer’s father would like to open up a museum to honor fallen soldiers.
The silver star would be part of the exhibits.
"These families will not let these soldiers be forgotten and it's not just our boy, but it's every soldier that falls," says Spencer.
As the war goes on, families like the Spencer’s hope all soldiers, sailors, and marines, will be honored in the days to come.
"We still have troops in harm's way, and they still need packages, they still need letters, they still need to know that we care about them," says Spencer.
Billy Spencer graduated from Henry County high school back in 2004.
His family now gives a $1,000 scholarship each year to a student from that school in his honor.
Fallen Marine Honored - John Dunn
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