SSG MICHAEL JAMES LIPARI

On Feb 15 2004, I left for Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I never got to say good bye to my parents because I was already forward deploy in Germany and they were in Miami, Florida. So I often wrote my parents and called once a month to say hello.

I had nothing really in common with my Dad so this was special to me to be in a combat zone, because my Dad served in Vietnam and I would have something that none of the other boys had in common with dad. I
am from a family of five children, two girls and 3 boys.

On 14 June 2004, while getting ready to go out on patrol, a young Soldier came to my hut and told me the Commander and 1SG wanted to see me right away. I got my gear on and ran to the TOC (Tactical Operation Command) to see what was going on. There stood my Commander and 1SG both with a very blank face. I stood as a Soldier should, when my commander reached out and said, “I don’t know how to tell you this, but your father passed away.”

I didn’t know how to react—cry, get mad or what. After all, I just lost two great Soldiers and friends the day before in combat. I asked to use the phone and of course, they both told me they were sorry for my loss. I called back home and told my mother I would try and get home as soon as possible. After five long days of travel I finally arrived back home in Miami, and drove straight to the funeral home. I kneeled next to my father’s coffin and prayed with my mother by my side. What a great man he was, a hard worker and a Veteran I told my mom as she put her arm around me. After my Dad’s funeral, I stood by myself when my mother walked up to me. I looked at my mother and said, “I wish I had something in common with Dad like my sister and brothers do.” My Mom looked at me and smiled and said, “you do, you have his smile and his bravery,” and then she handed me some papers Dad kept in a box that I might like to have. I opened them up and looked at them. It was one of my Dad’s dog tags and his Army discharge papers (DD 214).

After returning from Vietnam my father was with the to the 82nd Engineer Battalion (Blue Babe), Bamberg, Germany. My tour of duty in Iraq was with the 82nd Engineer Battalion (Blue Babe) Bahque Bah, Iraq. I had served in Combat with the same unit MY father had during his tour of duty!!! I had much more in common with my Dad than I ever
thought.