You were such a beautiful Lady/Mom.May you and your baby have eternal peace and love.My prayers are with you both.


OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO YOU AND YOUR BABY AND IN THIS WE HOPE THAT THE MARINE CORP WILL TAKE THINGS OF THIS NATURE MORE SERIOUSLY AND PROTECT ALL THEIR FELLOW MARINES! HOPE YOUR FAMILY WILL FINALLY HAVE CLOUSURE

To Maria, her family, and her baby, our deepest sympathies, thought's and prayer's are with you in these harsh time's.

Maria thank you for serving our country. You will never be forgotten...

May you and your baby rest in peace and thank you for being a Marine...your bravery, commitment and beauty will never be forgotten.

To Maria and her Family,
Semper Fi. It has been and will continue to be my prayer that justice will be brought to anyone involved in this so sad death. Without even knowing you we, as a country, Maria,who you chose to serve, are so burdened by this, please know, your country will not let you down. North Carolina loves you and your baby. Karen

I never had the pleasure of meeting you but my heart goes out to you and your family. May god watch over you.

My heartfelt sorrow goes out to Maria's family and that of that beautiful unborn soul. My heart aches for your loss. I truley believe that they are at the side of our Lord and in peace. God rest their souls. There is no more suffering and they are one together. Although I did not know her, she will be missed and so will her baby. They were innocent. So innocent and did not deserve this. God Bless.

my you and your baby rest together in Gods arms forever.

May you and your unborn child rest in peace together. I pray for your family & friends

You were strong for the both of you. A True Marine to the Very End.

Your life here on earth may have been cut short, but you truely have touched the hearts of many people across the world. May you and your baby rest in peace.

OH LITTLE ONE, YOUR MOTHER CARRIED YOU ALL THE WAY............TO HEAVEN! TOGETHER YOU LEFT THIS CRUEL WORLD WITHOUT A CHANCE TO LIVE YOUR LIVES. MAY YOU ALWAYS KNOW THAT YOUR MOM WAS STRONG & BEAUTIFUL.

My heart aches for you both and for your family.

Through the time that I had the pleasure of knowing Maria, she always had a smile on her face and knew how to make others happy. Whenever I thoguht of the word "Marine" the first thing that came to mind was Maria. She defined what a Marine was: strong, willed, and determined. She will be missed but NEVER forgotten by many in the Vandalia community and throughout the world. May God rest your soul Maria!

May the memories of your loved one stay close in your heart and bring you comfort.

I did not know Lance Cpl. Lauterbach but I wish to extend my deepest condolences to her family and friends who have been devastated by this tragedy. As a female veteran of two services, she is an unknown sister who has fallen at the hand of another "stellar" serviceman. No one knows the degradations to which military women are exposed. Most of us never tell because we will not be believed or it will become our fault. We will be ridiculed and ostracized if we do report the lasciviousness of our "comrades". The fact that Miss Lauterbach did tell is a testimony to the strength she possessed. The Marines are the toughest branch of all and for her to take on the Corps shows the true courage she possessed. She was the real soldier here; she was a hero. A hero continues to march in spite of the danger. She knew the possible repercussions - the danger - of reporting an assault but she did it anyway. She knew the hardships she would endure from being a single mom but she refused the alternative. She was willing to step forward for all of us who have remained silent because she thought her fellow Marines would take care of her. She didn't know the only ones they take care of are their fellow men. I salute her courage. I salute her honor. I salute her parents who raised her to do the right thing no matter the cost. May God wrap them in His cloak of warmth and love as they grieve the loss of their wonderful daughter and unborn grandchild.

My thoughts and prayers will be with you all during this hard time. I hope that justice will come quickly to the man responsible. You were a wonderful young lady, taken far before your time. God bless you and your family and your little boy during this hard time.

Maria,
You are now in the arms of angels and the Lord will protect you always~

Though I did NOT know Maria, I have been consumed, with how this could have been done to her. I pray that she did not suffer, and that when she and her baby were killed by the pysco, that did this, that she went swift and fast. Having a daughter the same age, who was in the airforce, has really brought to my attention, what can happen, to our precious children. I pray for her family, that they will have peace, in knowing that Marie and her baby are in the arms of Saint Peter. May God give this family the strength and courage to deal with what has to be done down the road, in this tragic nightmare.

May the authorities catch the S.O.B. who did this to you and your child!
You were serving your
country, you didn't deserve
this c___ (actually no victim
does)!
Mauli/Mel

May you rest in peace beside G-d's arms. G-d bless you and you little baby. I feel so sorry for what happened.
With Love,

May you forever live in peace in the arms of God

Dear Lauterbach Family,
There are so many women that can identify with how Maria was dealt with after her assault allegation. I was forced to work with my superior after I brought a charge against him, while I was in the Army. Because of Maria, I feel like I am not alone. Maybe the military can adopt the "Maria Lauterbach Act" stating that all asault victims are mandatorily shielded from harassment or harm. This story is so personal to me, even though I did not know Maria. All I did was hope she was found alive. I am so sorry. I know it is your time of sadness, but she has helped me. Thank you.

Maria will always be an angel.

Maria,
I try to fight back the tears as I think of what has happen to a young lady that I didn't know much about, only that I helped to make you a Marine. You hear about those Marines everyday that give their lives for our country, but for your life to be taken because of this less of a man's guiltness and selfishness is what disturbs me the most on the inside. Marines don't do this, we take care of each other, what could've I have done to better prepare you for this, Nothing. Your innocent child who didn't ask to come into this world has now lost its life for no apparent reason other than ignorance on the behalf of someone else. Your memory by your loved ones will not be forgotten, and I am proud to say that I spent 70 plus training days along with the rest of the DIs transforming you into a US Marine. Once a Marine always a Marine. Rest In Peace.

We will be miss from everybody that you knew and that you didn't know like me. I pray for your family and you as this time! God will keep you safe and in His hand you and your little baby boy can grow wings and fly like Angels! God Bless you!

I do not know Maria, but I am a former soldier (who was sexually assaulted) In your memory, I want to say "I believe you" and "may you rest in peace." Not many understand all of the shame and hassle of accusing a fellow servicemember of sexual assault. Somehow, they question our "willingness" to let it happen. To her family, please continue to question the Marine Corps, so that other victims will be protected.

Maria, I didn't know you, but I have a lot of gratitude for anyone who joins the service, it takes a special person. From what others have said about you, it seems to hold true. Its a shame you are no longer with us, but you, and your baby are with God now, and what could be better than that!? To the family, God bless you all, I'll pray for you, and for Maria and the baby as well.. God bless you Maria and your baby!!

Just could not believe what had happened to this beautiful young lady that had so much love to give... My heart goes to those who loved her and her family : What happened to her it's just not humanity and just horrific..........

I was in boot-camp with Maria. She was like a sister to me for that time as well as a friend. I will always remember her as happy and full of life. My heart goes out to her family and loved ones.

I did not know Maria but she looks like a strong and beautiful woman. Your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

This has been an absolutely unbelieveable crime. My heart goes out to Maria's family. Jacksonville is my home and we have always been proud of the Marines and what they do. I live out of state now but visit often and will never forget this terrible tradegy.

Though I only knew Maria for a couple months, I will always remember her cheerful laugh and fun personality. She was a heck of a soccer player, we were always pumped to have her guest play for our team. With Maria's spirit and determination I know she would have made an Excellent mother. You are in God's hands.. He will treat you like you deserve!

Maria, I have only gotten to know you through the media and want to say how much your story breaks my heart. You are a beautiful, but more importantly - brave young woman. I would have been proud to have been your friend. I want to personally thank you for serving our country and am so sorry that you and your child were not protected. May God bless you and your child, and the family and friends who love and miss you.

Maria I will miss you, rest in peace. My prayers go out to all the family.

God Bless you and your baby Maria.

Peace


Such a beautiful girl and what a beautiful picture of them both. I can't imagine the pain her Mom is going through. From a Mom in Canada to Maria's Mom...I'm so deeply sorry for your loss. I'm at a loss for words. To her friends, this is a beautiful tribute. You honour her well.

This message is for Mary. Keep this memory of your daughter with you always. When I look at this picture I see two great woman who loved very deeply. I am a mom of a 20 year old Marine, named Maria Frances Hughes, she is a Corporal based in San Diego. She gratuated Parris Island August 18, 2006. She holds the same position your daughter held at Camp Lejuene. She has been touched by this horrific injustice and will not allow the burden that Maria carried to be silenced. Pray Hard Mary and Victor. My daily thoughts, prayers are with you now and in the future. If there is anything I can do please contact me.
Anonymous
17 years agoit is perfect, i'd like to do that too
Anonymous
17 years agoIt's really beautiful! means a lot and that is what it counts.
carolyn Arsenault
17 years agoAre these ribbons available anyway in NC to get the laws changed for the innocent unborn children? They are beautiful and need to be out in the public. Its shame Maria and her baby were taken but the lives can change lives of many unprotected "fetuses" -children- to the common woman whos carries them.