Honoring Lance Corporal Larry Philippon - Bryan's Story

In this deeply personal episode of Gold Star Stories, host Nick Letendre sits down with Bryan Philippon to remember his big brother, Lance Corporal Lawrence Robert “Larry” Philippon. Larry was larger than life—a 6’5” athlete, a prankster, and a devoted mentor who carried his strength and humor into the Marine Corps until his life was cut short in Iraq.

Bryan shares what it meant to grow up with Larry as both a hero and best friend, and how his loss reshaped the course of his own life—from joining the Marines to seeking healing in the wide-open spaces of America’s national parks. Together, Nick and Bryan reflect on carrying the weight of being Gold Star siblings, preserving their brothers’ legacies, and finding purpose in the face of grief.

This conversation ties two families together—Larry’s and Nick’s—through sacrifice, memory, and resilience. It’s a raw, honest look at love between brothers, the cost of war, and the enduring strength of Gold Star families.

Say their names:

Lance Corporal Lawrence Robert Philippon