Cpl. Eric W. Hall, USMC

The Eric Hall Memorial Foundation is named in honor of the late Cpl. Eric W. Hall, a Marine from Jeffersonville, Indiana.

 Eric was badly wounded by a remote detonated improvised explosive device (IED) while on a foot patrol in Fallujah, Iraq in June of 2005. He returned to the United States for a lengthy recovery.

His strong young body wasn’t the only part of him ravaged by that explosive, so too was his mind. For 2 1/2 years, Eric also suffered from the hidden wounds of post-traumatic stress disorder.

On February 3, 2008, Eric, who was just 24, was found dead near his aunt’s home just outside Punta Gorda, Fl. Bizarre events led to his disappearance. He fled the home while experiencing an intense “flashback.” Eric’s family and newfound friends searched for 5 weeks before recovering his remains in a drainage tile approximately 1 mile from his Aunt’s home. On March 9, 2008, Charles Shaughnessy, a 60 year-old Vietnam vet and Marine, made that long crawl down inside the drainage pipe to recover his remains.

On March 12, 2008, his parents, Kevin and Becky Hall stood before local and network television news cameras and confirmed the fact their son’s remains were those that had been found. It was also at this very moment, the Halls announced to America and the world how they wanted Eric’s death to be their calling to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder along with traumatic brain injury (TBI), chronic pain and other adjustment issues that affect our combat veterans.

Eric was proud to be a marine, and he was even prouder to serve his country. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

When local search and rescue teams could not find Eric, it was that group of Vietnam veterans who did not give up the search for him. These veterans not only found Eric, but they showed us all the true meaning of “Semper Fi,” the Marines motto which simply means, “Always Faithful.” They knew Eric was suffering, and without reservation made it their mission to find their fellow soldier.

The Eric Hall Memorial Foundation is Kevin and Becky Hall’s promise to be “Always Faithful” not only to their fallen son, but to all veterans, especially those suffering from PTSD/TBI, chronic pain, and other readjustment issues. The Halls are calling this effort their “Home Front Fight.” Please spend a few minutes to learn more about Eric, the Foundation, and how you can support the Halls and their son’s memorial foundation to make sure those who need help, get it.