Praying for a local hero
Published on April 30th, 2003
STONEHAM, MA - The Patterson family dog, a Yorkshire terrier and a bit of a chubby one at that, runs around yipping and yammering at visitors to their Pine Street home. The dogs pants excitedly and wags its tail merrily as she gets a rewarding pat on the head for her exuberance in greeting guests.
"She's a real meanie," says Pam Patterson of the tiny dog with the big personality.
It's little exchanges like this that might, for a minute, take Patterson away from the reality that her son, Marine Corporal Richard Darragh, is serving as a crew chief in an Amphibious Assault Vehicle unit perilously ferrying infantry back and forth through the war-torn Middle-Eastern Country.
"It's been a very difficult time," said Patterson with more than a touch of both motherly pride and parental concern. "I just do a lot of positive thinking and praying that everybody comes home safely...I could cry just thinking about it right now."
"I watched a lot of news coverage during the first weekend," said Patterson. "But I just couldn't watch anymore. I needed to get back into my routine, and try to maintain a sense of normalcy."
Ricky, as his mom calls him, is a 22 year-old graduate of Stoneham High School (Class of 1999) who joined the Marine Corps shortly after receiving a diploma from Stoneham High.
"He left for boot camp three days after graduation," said Patterson. "He eventually wants to become a state trooper or a local police officer like his "Uncle Allie" Duff (a beloved safety officer/legend in the town of Stoneham) and Stoneham Police Officer Bates."
"This was always his plan to spend four years in the military, then go to college and get a criminal justice degree," added Patterson.
Patterson received the call on February 6 that most military parents both dread and expect during times of military conflict. Ricky was leaving for Kuwait in 15 minutes, and there wasn't nearly enough time for any goodbyes.
"Your heart just breaks because of the unknown," said Patterson, her bright blue eyes welling up but bravely holding back the tears. "I've had a lot of sleepless nights...you don't know when you'll be able to hear his voice again, but I knew he had a job to do."
"That's the one thing he said about heading over to Iraq," added Patterson. "He said that this was his job, and he had to go do it."
Darragh is chief of a crew of three people, and is a member of the 2D Amphibious Assault Battalion, Bravo Co., based out of Camp LeJeune, N.C.
Darragh got a head start in his career aspirations by serving as a Police Explorer during high school, but also made a few bucks working for the Crafty Clown as entertainment at birthday parties.
Darragh was also heavily involved in CTV-30 and Continental Cablevision, and became very adept at using all of the audio/visual technologies.
Patterson received two letters from her son while he was in Kuwait prior to the first attacks, and much of the letters describes the large amount of down time in a hot, barren desert land.
"Day 2 in Kuwait...all I see is sand!" writes Darragh to his mother.
In a letter dated March 6, Darragh told his mom about a one-and-a-half foot pet lizard that his crew had adopted.
"I took some video of it and we kept it as a pet," wrote Darragh. "it's a little feisty though and it's more like two-and-a-half feet with its tail. The only bad thing about it is it's poisonous, so if he bites one of us...but we are pretty careful."
Patterson also mentioned that he put a U.S. flag on their back antennae, and that it "looked pretty cool."
Patterson recounted many of Ricky's trips with the Marine Corps. around the world, and his last deployment in 2001 to the Mediterranean Sea on the USS Portland.
"I remember he called home on Christmas Eve (his twentieth birthday) and it was so cool and exciting," said a very proud Patterson.
Ricky has two sisters Erin, a 21 year-old Salem State sophomore, and Kaitlyn, a six year-old at South School, his stepdad Mark, stepsister Sheila and grandparents Bill and Shirley Treacy of Lady Lake, Fl. and So. Yarmouth, Ma., formerly of Stoneham. Ricky's dad, Richard P. Darragh, grandparents Paul and Theresa, and baby brother Paul all of Saugus "are all also very proud of Ricky", said Patterson.
Patterson was working at the Post Office in Reading when the troops began pulling down the statues of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad several weeks ago, and didn't get to see it live on television. But it couldn't hold back many strong emotions when she finally did have a chance to see the liberated Iraqi people dancing in the streets with the kind of glee that only freedom provides.
"There were so many strong emotions running through me, but I just felt an overwhelming sense of pride that my son was helping these people, and becoming a part of history at the same time," said Patterson. "I also felt a little sense of relief that maybe the fighting was calming down, and that Ricky might be home soon."
Patterson hasn't heard from her son since his early March letter, but she thinks she knows exactly why.
"I've heard that there are hours of waiting to use the phones or email," said Patterson. "Ricky's the type that would let other soldiers with wives and children go before him."
Darragh's military service was scheduled to be over this June, but Patterson said that Ricky was still mulling over his options.
"He is thinking of re-enlisting and becoming a Drill Sgt. at Parris Island," said Patterson. "We'll have to wait and see what he decides to do. I'm sure this experience will help determine what direction he takes."
Patterson said that there have many people supporters and well wishers along the way, including her friends and family and many ex-Marines at the Reading Post Office. Patterson also wanted to thank each and every person that attended the Support The Troops Rally on the Stoneham Town Common.
"I am proud to be the mother of U.S. Marine," said Patterson, her voice gaining strength and resonance as the words poured out . "I am so proud of my son and all our troops, and I am especially proud to be an American."
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