LINGAYEN–A Pangasinense, a decorated Filipino-American soldier who died in action in Iraq, will come home for good next week.

Hailed a hero by the US, Sgt. Richard V. Correa, 25, died from wounds he suffered when an improvised explosive device was detonated near his position while on foot patrol in Ilbu Falris in Iraq.

His bereaved family includes Richard’s biological father Ricardo Primicias, a businessman and a member of the Convention that drafted the 1971 Philippine Constitution, and his mother Maria Minda.

They and their relatives are now awaiting the arrival of Richard’s remains accompanied by an honor guard from the U.S. Army.

Primicias, whose elder brother, Cipriano, was governor of Pangasinan, said they are mourning the demise of a “very dear child” whom he described to be “super-active” as a child.

Primicias said he is arranging for a three-day wake for Richard to be held in a bigger venue as their residence on Avenida Rizal in Lingayen, might be too small for the expected number of friends and relatives who will pay their last respects to their son.

Sgt. Correa, single, was an army ranger assigned with the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum in New York on a 12-month tour of duty in Iraq.

He died with a comrade-in-arms, Staff Sergeant Joseph Weighlein, 31, of Audubon, New Jersey.

A native of Lingayen, Sgt. Correa was a recipient of many awards and decorations that included the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and several Air Force Awards.

Richard first studied in the U.S. until Grade III then transferred to the Harvent School in Lingayen. He finished high school at the Lingayen Learning Center.–LM

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