His death leaves an empty hole with his family and friends and his loveable nature, boisterous laugh and especially his "goodwill for all" will be terribly missed...Jeanette Chervony, a close friend of "Bears" and a Chapter Member has created a Memorial website for "Bear" http://vva785.org/Bear/ where his family, friends and his "Band of Brothers and Sisters" can post personal notes, antidotes and remembrances for this American "hero" and gentle giant. In addition, the Memorial page will keep everyone posted on the Memorial Service and funeral arrangements.

    Larry "Bear" Hughes was a recipient of 3 Silver Stars, 5 Bronze Stars and 3 Purple Hearts for his two tours in Vietnam. He was humble about his service and sacrifice serving this great Nation that he so loved but he was also very protective of those Veterans that he served with and those that served. He was a Veterans Advocate in the true sense of the word and shared all that he had with those Veterans and their families in need. He was the epitome of an American Hero and that of a Mountain Man....with a passion for fishing and hunting, but never taking more then he needed. He was the outdoors man who was at home in "the bush" or on the back of his "Harley."

    We all have viewed so many sides of "Bear," but all of us saw just the gentle and loving side of this American "giant." The following few pictures will remind us all of this "Bear" of a man and the wonderful friendship and memories that we will forever hold close to our hearts. To his wife Peggy and his beautiful family, we were blessed to have "Bear" in our lives, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful husband, father and grandpa with us. To Lew "Pitbull" Correra, also known as his "twin brother" and "bodyguard", your loss can never be replaced, but know that your Chapter 785 will forever be....your family.

    Semper Fi "Bear", "Fair winds and following sea's be forever at your back.......you are missed! 

At times like this we become lost for words. Our souls search deep and all that was good and honorable about someone comes to mind.  How they lived, gave of themselves to others and how they would put themselves up to sacrifice for others could live.

 

Bears military record says it all.  You who broke bread with him, knew him for the gentle giant he was, and those who fought side by side with him, knew him for the true hero and living legion that he truly was.

 

My prayers go out to him and all his family and Warrior Brothers.  I believe there are special places in Heaven for men such as Bear.

 

To Pit Bull a special prayer goes to him I know he feels this loss greatly.  I remember the last time I spoke to him in Limon as I was leaving.  I asked him to watch over the both of you on the run, and he shook my hand saying goodbye and telling me he would watch over all of you.

 

May the blessings of our Lord be with all at this time of sorrow and great loss, and may this Nation of ours recognize the loss of this Great American Hero, and our Brother.

 

Semper Fi - God bless you all

 

Tony "Rock" Valentine

It is with a heavy heart when I received the news of the death of Bear and his brother.  Bear touched the lives of many and will always be remembered.  My prayers go out to Bear's family, friends, Brothers & Sisters.

 

I spent two months in the VAMC - Loma Linda, Nov/Dec 94, going through their drug/alcohol rehab program and PTSD counseling.  It was during this time that I felt the need to be connected to my VN Brothers & Sisters.  Upon my release, I joined the VVA, Chapter 47 in Riverside.  I did not find the camaraderie/bond that I was looking for as found in those that have shared combat together.  We were invited to attend a dinner with ARVN Rangers in Little Saigon and I decided to attend.  After a tour of an area in Little Saigon we are taken to the restaurant.  The others had taken their seats.... the only seat that I could find was with a group of guys wearing these black baseball caps and black jackets with the words embroidered on them, "Brothers of Vietnam".  I introduced myself to each of them and it was here that I met Larry "Bear" Hughes for the first time.  I commented, "Who are the Brothers of Vietnam"?  "Bear" explained who and what the Brothers of VN were about and extended an invitation for me to come to one of their meetings in La Habra and check them out.  It was at this first meeting that I felt that I had truly come home.  It was here that I felt the "bond" that I had been searching for all of these years.  They were like family.  I stayed with them for a year or so before becoming involved with PMIM (Point Man International Ministries).  I thank Bear for extending that invitation and thank the Brothers of Vietnam for providing me with the support that I needed at that time.

 

Steve

We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Larry "Bear" Hughes, an American Hero.

 

Debbie Gregory, President

Military Connection

Our loss is great, Bear has truly joined God's Army now. Bear will be reunited with us when our time comes, until then, Bear will truly be missed. My prayers for Bear's family are for peace & comfort.

In Christ's Service,

Jim MP

Point Man Ministries

VVA Chapter #785

I am so happy I had the opportunity to meet "Bear". I pray for his family.

 Regards, Carol

My heart breaks for Chapter 785, Bear and his family.  I remember him helping in Steven's funeral procession.  Please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist his wife and family and the chapter.

 

Cathy

Sorry to hear about "our" loss.  I regret that we never met "Bear" to our knowledge.  From the pictures that you sent, it looks like he was a man who lived life to the fullest and made many, many friends.  Thank you for sharing this information, even though it is very sad.  Now is the time to be happy that he touched so many lives...and the good that will be remembered and his place in "our" hearts.

 

Most sincerely,

Valerie and Jay Tate

Maj Denise J. Edwards
18 FLTS/CCE Executive Officer/Flight Test Engineer

"ALOHA"

 

Dear Monsoon and members of VVA Chapter 785,

 

I just want to offer my sincerest condolences for your great loss.  Larry "Bear" Hughes was undoubtedly a fine servant of God and a tireless resource/source of support and comfort to his fellow veterans and their loved ones.  God will surely reward him and his brother, Tim.  I always understand what the loss of a good friend means.  Much love, Sue Fenwick, Board Secretary, Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial Association

I met Bear 15 years ago and he came to the play, "WELCOME HOME SOLDIER", at least once every year.  I was very sad to hear about his passing and still can't believe it.  He was a true American hero and a man among men.  But God has him now and I'm sure he's doing well.  I will definitely dedicate the August play to Bear.  

 

Take care,

 

Tony Savant

Dear Monsoon and members of VVA Chapter 785,

 I just want to offer my sincerest condolences for your great loss.  Larry "Bear" Hughes was undoubtedly a fine servant of God and a tireless resource/source of support and comfort to his fellow veterans and their loved ones.  God will surely reward him and his brother, Tim.  I always understand what the loss of a good friend means.  

Much love, Sue Fenwick, Board Secretary, Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial Association

Sorry to hear about "our" loss.  I regret that we never met "Bear" to our knowledge.  From the pictures that you sent, it looks like he was a man who lived life to the fullest and made many, many friends.  Thank you for sharing this information, even though it is very sad.  Now is the time to be happy that he touched so many lives...and the good that will be remembered and his place in "our" hearts.

 Most sincerely,   Valerie and Jay Tate

Chapter 47 sends its condolences to chapter 785 and to Bears family.  Please pass along to his family that we have them in our prayers.

 

Steve Mackey
Vietnam Veterans of America
President
Chapter 47, Inland Empire