Patricia Elliott and Zazil Davis-Vazquez
Recorded
July 29, 2020
39:38 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
ddv000061
Description
Patricia "Patti" Elliott (55) sits down with her new friend and conversation partner Zazil Davis-Vazquez (25) to remember the life of her son Lucas, who was killed in Iraq. Patti shares her favorite memories from Lucas' life.Subject Log / Time Code
P shares memories of her childhood in Boone, North Carolina, and recalls wanting to get out of the small town when she was younger, but appreciating it later in life. P speaks about going to Raleigh, North Carolina, and getting married.
P speaks about her son, Lucas, who was killed in Iraq. P recalls his early love of shooting and his "adrenaline-junky" nature, and remembers signing for him to join the Army Reserve as long as he attended college.
P recalls the military recruiter coming to her home. P speaks about both of her sons learning gun safety from their father at a young age, and Lucas joining the high-powered rifle team.
P speaks about Lucas going to basic training and writing letters home. P recalls Lucas' dream of hosting a hunting and fishing show and working with a hunting guide service. P gives a physical description of Lucas, and shares some of her favorite memories of him.
P speaks about Lucas being in college and volunteering to deploy because of his desire to fight for his country. P remembers Lucas' first deployment.
P remembers Lucas not telling her that he had gotten married four days before deployment, and only learning about it via email. P speaks about Lucas' wife and their relationship.
P recalls Lucas' second deployment to Basrah, Iraq. P describes Lucas being changed by his experiences, and his having less optimism about the military. P remembers Lucas being killed by an EFP.
P describes Lucas' burial day, and learning that Lucas' brother was going to be a father at the same time. P discusses her grief, and shares lighthearted memories of Lucas as a "prankster." P speaks about sending Lucas care packages overseas so that he could grill food for his military unit.
P reflects on being the parent of a killed soldier, and speaks about wanting Lucas to be remembered.
Participants
- Patricia Elliott
- Zazil Davis-Vazquez