Walter O'Haire loved the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Nothing could keep him away. Not even the US Marines. The night before last year's festivities, O'Haire, a Marine lance corporal, quietly left Camp Lejeune in North Carolina without permission and drove all night in his silver Honda Civic to enjoy what would be his last South Boston parade. O'Haire died in a firefight with insurgents in Iraq's volatile Anbar province last May, six days before his 21st birthday. This year, in a tribute to their fallen comrade, 22 Marines from O'Haire's platoon will march in Sunday's celebration, while family and friends will wave from the street corner where O'Haire stood last year. "It's a great honor to have 22 Marines pay respect for your kid," O'Haire's mother, Maureen, said in a telephone interview yesterday from her home in Rockland. She added, "It should be a great tribute to the men and women who are serving over there." Maureen O'Haire, at the suggestion of her oldest son, arranged for the Marines' appearance. She thought she would be lucky to get a dozen, let alone 22. She is using federal government money, given to her when her son died, to foot the bill for their airline tickets, hotel rooms, and other expenses, which could total more than $20,000. O'Haire acknowledges she could have used the money to remodel her house or at least fix her leaking roof, but she said she could not imagine a better way to spend it. The Marines arrive tomorrow at Logan Airport. The weekend events also include a memorial Mass for her son Saturday evening at St. Vincent Church in South Boston. The Marines will carry a sign in the parade in honor of their platoon and O'Haire, their only lost comrade. Family and friends will gather on the corner of O Street and Broadway, holding signs and wearing T-shirts in the fallen Marine's honor. The T-shirts, which the mother has been selling to help cover the trip's expenses, are decorated with shamrocks, the Marine Corps insignia, and a picture of the cartoon character Wally Gator. His mother gave her son that nickname because, like the cartoon character created in the 1960s, he was always on the go. Walter O'Haire spent about half his childhood in South Boston before his family moved to Rockland. One of nine children, he decided to serve in the Marines in honor of his father, a Navy veteran who died about three years ago. "He wanted to make us proud," his mother said. In preparation for the Marines' visit, O'Haire said yesterday that she finally mustered the emotional strength to hang a framed certificate of the Purple Heart her son received during his tour in Iraq. She received the certificate at a memorial service at Camp Lejeune in November, where she and her family met many of the Marines in her son's unit. "He was a little daring," she said. "He did break some rules, but I'm grateful we got to see him at last year's parade."
BOSTON (WBZ) ― It was a touching tribute to a comrade who grew up in South Boston. Twenty-two marines gathered at a memorial service Saturday night to honor a Lance Corporal Walter O'Haire, who was killed in Iraq.
Dozens came out to pay their respects to the fallen marine who loved life, his family and serving his country. And his tribute is far from over.
There are many ways to honor a fallen soldier, but in South Boston, the O'Haire family could only think of one. "He loved the parade the saint Paddy's Day was his parade."
Margaret O'Haire is talking about her son, 20-year-old Walter O'Haire -- better known as Wally the Gator. "It was a 1960s cartoon."
Last May he was killed while serving in Iraq with his fellow marines.
On Saturday, Wally's comrades took part in special mass at Saint Vincent's Church.
"He was an outstanding marine he had more heart than anyone i ever known in my life," said Staff Sgt. Brian Mullen.
One of Wally's favorite events was the St. Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston. On Sunday, 22 of his closest friends -- U.S. marines -- will march in his honor.
The marines were flown up from North Carolina to be a part of the parade.
"We grew in Southie and the parade means a lot to us and Wally loved the parade," said Wally's sister Margaret O'Haire. "We've been doing all types of stuff to get ready and its been so exciting."
All for a marine who gave his all.
"He may not have been the best marine and I will say that, but he was the most devoted and he tried his best," said Margaret.
They all looked sharp today. You gentlemen did the Corps proud. Semper Fi.
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