The picture may be fuzzy but not the memories.  I had the priviledge of serving with Doc Connelly in Vietnam and sharing times with him at our Fox Company Reunions in the years that followed.  He will be greatlly missed by all who served with him.

I first met Lonny when he joined Fox Company  2nd Battalion, 5th Marines during  the Battle of Hue during the Tet Offensive of 1968 in what was one of the hardest fought battles of the Vietnam conflict. It had to be the shock of young Lonny's life to be dropped into that situation, but like all the corpsman that I served with he jumped right in and did his job in what was truly a heroic effort.  Lonny became part of the brotherhood of the Fox 2/5 Marines.  I feel safe in saying that Doc saw more than his share of horrific casualties and he dealt with each in the most highly professional and heroic manner. And for his actions he was awarded the Bronze Star.  Some 20 years after our return to the states Fox 2/5 started a reunion group that met every 2 years. We were all so happy to reconnect and learn of each others lives since our return.  At many of the reunions Doc would host a Sick Bay on Saturday morning and serve his famous punch and other breakfast goodies.  He was again doing what he always did and that was take care of his Marines and now their wives.  Besides the reunions Doc and I spent the past 20 plus years attending the Veterans Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. I would leave my house on Long Island early in the morning drive down to Baltimore pick up Doc and we would drive down to the Wall. After the ceremony we would walk the Wall stopping at the names of the men we served with that didn't make it back and share a memory about our time with that brother. After that we would drive back up to Baltimore to Bo Brooks Crab House and share some steamed crabs and beer.  I am going to miss him more than I can put into words. He is up in heaven now with our Fox brothers that went before. Until we meet again Doc. Semper Fi! 

       I met  "Doc" several years ago through my friend Chris.  Chris travels to Washington DC every Veterans day to visit the Vietnam Memorial.  It was on one of these trips I met "Doc".
       Chris and "Doc" served together with Fox Co. 2nd Bn 5th Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division.  This unit was located at An Hoa combat base, approximately 26 miles southwest of Da Nang.  I refer to Lonny  as "Doc" because he was a Navy Corpsman stationed with Marines.    Marines always refer to their  Navy corpsman as "Doc".
       Chris and Lonny went through some of the fiercest fighting of the Vietnam war together. They were part of the Battle for Hue City during the Tet Offensive of 1968. A lot of good Marines died during that action but a lot of Marines were saved due to Lonny's courage under fire .  
        Lonny and Chris remained friends for over 50 years.  Every year on Veterans Day, for the past 20+ years,  Chris would pick up Doc and they would go to "The Wall" . Afterwards they would travel back to Baltimore and stop at Bo Brooks for crabs. Watching Chris and Doc eating colossal  crabs was a sight to behold. 
        It was my privilege to know Lonny and to be able to call him my friend.  I thank Chris for introducing him to me. When my time on this earth is over, I look forward to seeing Doc, watching over his Marines guarding the gates of Heaven.   
      Semper Fi  Doc !!! 

OBITUARY

Lawrence Edward Connelly

June 6, 1947 – February 14, 2019

Schimunek Funeral Home

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