Skip to comments.

Posted on 12/15/2001, 3:35:13 AM by MediaMole

WFAA retracts Wednesday's story about Texas Marine
12/15/2001

Channel Eight News regrets to report tonight that we must issue a retraction on what many considered a very touching and inspirational story we aired Wednesday night.

It was the story of Marine Sergeant Thomas Larez of Dallas who left behind his wife and newborn child to go serve his country, we were told in Afghanistan.

We quoted from what appeared to be a Marine advisory, of how the Sergeant was injured trying to rescue a fellow soldier. Of how he heroically killed and helped capture enemy soldiers. And finally we reported of his return to work and to his family.

We have now learned from his Marine commander that the story and document was contrived.

That Larez, in fact, never left the country and his whereabouts, for nearly two months were unknown.

Thomas Larez has been dismissed from his job for misleading his employer and his Marine commander says he faces possible disciplinary actions.

When contacted for a comment on this story, Larez declined to apologize and would say only that he couldn't believe that it went this far.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.