Last Salute – Last Salute

2026 Marine Corps Law Enforcement event photos with Medal of Honor recipients

The 2026 Marine Corps Law Enforcement event was a huge success as always. The event spanned 3 days with a formal evening gala including the Marine Corps Drum and Bugle, the Silent Drill Team, many dignitaries and 3 Medal of Honor recipients including; Mike Thornton, Robert Patterson and Donald Ballard. The Medal of Honor recipients honored those in the Last Salute Memorial Prayer and all 3 signed the side of the Last Salute “combat rubber raiding craft” which is used every Memorial Day to carry the Prayer Box 10 miles across the Absecon Bay to honor those inside. U.S. Navy Seal, Mike Thorton added his signature to the Medal of Honor signatures in Last Salute’s 2 Humvees. The black Humvee now has been signed by 11 Medal of Honor recipients and the slant back, “Caisson” has been signed by 9. There are almost 400 photos in the gallery linked below. First a few highlights for the families Last Salute is honored to serve!

The Knutson family in front of their Last Salute static display which is included every year

Medal of Honor recipient, Robert Patterson signing Last Salute’s combat rubber raiding craft

Medal of Honor recipient, Donald “Doc” Ballard signing Last Salute’s combat rubber raiding craft

Medal of Honor recipient, “Doc” Ballard getting a good flame out of the “Mike D” cannon

All 3 Medal of Honor recipients with Last Salute’s Chuck Knutson preparing to fire the cannons to start the charity golf event. Entertaining side note, Navy Seal Mike Thornton who is also a bomb tech (EOD) was very comfortable sitting on Last Salute’s box of explosives with cannon charges.

Medal of Honor recipients, Mike Thornton and Robert Patterson fire Last Salute’s cannons

Medal of Honor recipient, “Doc” Ballard and Jon DiFrancesco fire Last Salute’s cannons. Jon fires the “Mike D” cannon which is named after his father.