Marine dies of heart attack 3 hours after coming home from Iraq

Associated Press ^ | 08-12-03

[Brian S]

After eight months in Kuwait and Iraq, Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Dale Racicot just wanted to see his wife and daughters.

Giddy with excitement, they headed for the airport on Friday in Racicot's cherished "Marine Corps green" pickup truck to start what his daughter, Keri Magnarelli, called "a reunion of a lifetime."

[Brian S]

This is an awful, awful story but I thought some would want to hear it here first...

Prayers for this family, please.

[Miss Marple]

Oh, how sad! At least he made it home, but how very, very tragic! I will pray for his family.

[Sacajaweau]

Very, very sad. What can you say? Prayers to the family.

[ntnychik]

. "We had three hours. They were the most precious hours we could have asked for."

I'm inspired by his daughter's grace in the face of this terribly untimely and tragic loss.

[glasseye]

Words fail....God, please rest this fine mans soul, and keep his family close.

[nagdt]

Wow. What a man! It seems a bittersweet way to end a life together, but at least they were together. Medically speaking, he may have held out for as long as possible so he could see his family again. Again.. Wow!

[beckett]

I wonder if he's any relation to RNC chairman and former Montana governor Marc Racicot. I guess not, since it wasn't menetioned in the report, but that surname can't be all that common.

Rest in peace, good and noble soul.

[jjm2111]

How tragic. Will pray for his family.

[kellynla]

God rest his soul. Semper Fidelis

[glock rocks]

Rest in peace, Marine.

Thank you for your service to our republic.

Prayers going up for you, and your family.

[Wait4Truth]

This really brought tears to my eyes...how terribly tragic. I will pray for this family. So very, very sad.

[Dog Gone]

If it's any consolation, it's better than if it happened 3 hours before the reunion. Still, it's very sad.

[armymarinemom]

God rest his soul and prayers to his family. What a fine family he must have to be able to voice a blessing out of such a tragedy.

[DCBryan1]

Not a terrible way to die.

I can think of many worse ways to die.

Semper Fi bump.

[jwalsh07]

"He looked at me and said, 'I love you all,' and that was the last thing he said."

When I had my heart trouble, those were my exact words to my wife.

I kind of know how he felt but for some reason God wasn't ready for me yet.

God bless him, his family and all our brothers and sisters in arms.

[LibKill]

"He looked at me and said, 'I love you all,' and that was the last thing he said."

What a man! With his last breath he thought not of himself but of his family. Words fail me.

[prairiebreeze]

God rest you, brave Marine. God's blessings and healing mercies to your family

Prairie

[Clara Lou]

Bittersweet.

[maxwellp]

God Bless you Sgt. Racicot and thank you for your service to our country. Rest easy because my husband I will do everything possible to see that your daughters grow and thrive in a free, safe America.

[lawgirl]

OHH this is terrible and so sad.