Posted on 02/25/2003 1:09:15 PM PST by Shermy
TAUNTON -- The last time Army Private Richard Rakoski spoke to his wife was on Thursday afternoon. He told her to have a good time. He told her he loved her. He told her he would see her soon. Then she went to The Station.
Rakoski has spent the past six months in Afghanistan as part of the 772nd Military Police Company. He has returned home, but there wont be a homecoming celebration. Instead, hes making funeral arrangements.
"I dont understand how this could be happen," said Rakoski. "The world is a very cruel place."
Rakoskis wife, Theresa, is presumed dead, believed to have perished in the West Warwick, R.I., nightclub fire that claimed the lives of 97 people last week. Theresas sister is among the victims already identified and another friend, Kris Cardoni, is missing. She, too, is presumed dead.
Married for eight months, Rakoski had seen his wife for only seven days of the time theyve been married. Rakoski was called to military duty last June, and before he departed with 175 fellow soldiers, the Army National Guard soldier decided to marry Theresa. The two were married on June 30 and Rakoski shipped out on July 7.
He was to return home next week and a celebration was in the works.
"We wanted to take our honeymoon," Rakoski said. "We were talking a lot about going to Niagara Falls. She kept telling me to be careful and return home safe. I promised her I wouldnt take any unnecessary risks."
Rakoski said he has yet to learn exactly what happened to his wife on Thursday, when The Station went up in flames. A few hours before Theresa was set to head to the club with her friend and sister, Richard called from Afghanistan to say hello and Theresa said she planned to drive to West Warwick to catch the band Great White perform.
The next day, during a break from his military activities, Rakoski was watching the television when a colleague asked if he could change to a news channel. It was then, Rakoski cried for the first time since he said good-bye to his wife eight months ago.
The CNN broadcast was playing images of the fatal fire, with the headline "At least 28 dead in Station fire." Realizing his wife had been at the club, he and his commander -- Capt. Richard Johnson -- rushed to find a phone, both anxious to learn more.
Rakoski first called his home.
No answer.
He called Theresas cell phone.
No answer.
He called his mother-in-law and she confirmed Theresa had not been heard from; her car was still at the scene.
"Ive been crying for 40 hours," Rakoski said. "Ive lost my soul mate." Johnson immediately put forth a Herculean effort to return Rakoski to the States. The commander also assigned a soldier to accompany Rakoski, realizing the devastated private needed support and someone to lean on in the upcoming days.
Rakoski has been home for only a day and he has yet to visit family. His first stop was the Crown Plaza Hotel, in Warwick, where he gave forensic specialists descriptions of his wife. The information included her hair color, distinguishing body features and even a description of the wedding ring she was likely wearing.
Rakoski is still awaiting an official word from Rhode Island investigators.
He has assumed the worst, though he continues to pray for a miracle.
"Shes missing and everyone has been identified at the hospitals," Rakoski said. "I know shes gone, but I want her back. This should not have happened."
The Massachusetts National Guard has stepped up its efforts to assist Rakoski. Two JAG officers from Washington D.C. have been flown in to help with legal assistance, while family support staff continue to offer counseling should it be requested. Some have talked of offering a military funeral.
"This should be a time of happiness and positive thoughts for a bright future," Johnson said in an e-mail from Afghanistan. "Instead, we mourn the terrible loss of one of our family.
"We are deeply saddened."
Emergency financial programs are also available should Rakoski have difficulties in the upcoming months.
"Its heartbreaking and heart-wrenching for all of us," National Guard Capt. Winfield Danielson said. "Part of the reason we join the military is to protect loved ones back home and when you deploy there is a certain understanding that you put yourself in harms way. You think youre the one in danger, not your loved one back home."
Members of the 772nd MP Company may begin returning home on Friday and many soldiers have already said they hope to attend funeral services should they return to Taunton in time. Cards and letters have already started to pour in.
"Were all crying," 772nd Sgt. Deborah Clapper said.
None as much as Rakoski.
"I wish I could give her one last hug," he said.
Staff writer Jim Stern can be reached at ...[see link above]
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