LAS VEGAS, NM, USA U.S. Marines LCPL, A CO, 3D LAR BN, (RCT-7, I MEF FWD), 1ST MAR DIV, TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA AR RUTBAH, IRAQ 09/03/2006
Shane Patrick Harris was born at 5.01 a.m., April 15, 1983, in Plano, Texas. He made his appearance with a squeak of joy —not a loud cry. Sadly, on September 3rd, 2006, Lance Cpl. Shane Patrick Harris of San Geronimo was in Al Anbar province while conducting combat operations. He was assigned to the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force based in Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Shane loved spending time with his family and loved the Lord with all his heart. He also loved hunting, fishing, skiing, backpacking, and gunsmithing among many other activities. Shane enjoyed playing the banjo and was always singing. He was home-schooled and graduated in May 2001. Shane then attended Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO. He was a member of Meadowland Christian Church in the Las Vegas area and had been a volunteer firefighter with the Cabo-Lucero Volunteer Fire Department in San Miguel County.
He is survived by parents Pat and Carol Harris, brothers Logan and Ryan Harris, sister Tiffany Harris, sister-in-law Rebecca Harris, nephew Caleb Shane Harris, grandparents Louvena Harris, and Charles and Rose Mary Rogers, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by grandfather Hugh Harris, and nephew Elijah Logan Harris.
Shane achieved a life-long dream of serving his country by becoming a Marine. He enlisted in February 2005. He excelled at all he did as a Marine. His lieutenant said that Shane was the best driver and rifleman in the Corps.
Shane’s parents said their son always wanted to protect others. When everyone else would run away from danger, he would run to help. His father recalled an incident that occurred while Harris was at Bible College in Texas. “He was playing soccer and a motorcycle accident occurred nearby,” Pat said. “Everyone else just stood there, but Shane ran to the injured rider to offer comfort and aid.”
Mistica Walker, of Angel Fire Resort, where Shane had worked, said he was good-natured, fun, charismatic, and willing to do anything for anyone. He was one of those people who lit up a room.
Patrick Harris, the Marine’s father, said at first he was angry with God for his son’s death and he lamented what he called his own failure to keep him safe. But he said he realized that his son is now at the feet of Jesus. “God, please tell Shane I love him so much,” he said.
In a letter home, Harris once wrote, “Mom, if I don’t fight over there, then they will come fight over here, and if that happens, your grandkids would not get to grow up free like I did.”