A Marine in Iraq sees a reflection -- of someone back home

(Corporal Tyler Hill/Marine Corps)

By Kasey Wickman, Globe Correspondent

A southern New Hampshire man was moved last week when he saw a picture of his son, Gary Grant, 23, a corporal in the Marine Corps, consoling a small Iraqi child about the age of his own son back at home, 18-month-old Vincent.

“I know my son, and I know he was thinking about his son when he was trying to comfort that boy,” said Gary Grant Sr.

The father said that he has since spoken with his son about the photo, which was published on a military Internet site. He said his son remembered the day and seeing the little boy while he and his company were on patrol in northern Anbar Province.

“He saw the little boy looking at him and he was trembling, so Gary decided to leave formation and go over there and console him. He told me, 'Dad, he was so scared.' … He stayed with him for a minute and tried to comfort him and told him, ‘Everything’s gonna be OK, buddy,’ ” said the father.

Corporal Grant, who grew up in Nashua, began his second tour in Iraq in February. Vincent was born during his first tour of duty, and the two only met earlier this year, when Corporal Grant had a few weeks of leave between his tours and could leave the North Carolina base where he is stationed.

Gary Grant Sr. said that his son can call home about once every two weeks, on average, and asks to talk to Vincent. The Marine also writes frequently.

“He tells Vinny how much he misses him and how he can’t wait to get back home and be a dad. …We have a lot of pictures in the house, and [Vincent] can say ‘Dad’ and we believe that he knows who his dad is.”

Corporal Grant will return from Iraq in October.

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