Perspective: Waiting for Dad

DeKALB - Seeing her newborn baby boy grab hold of a dogtag hanging around her neck instantly made Kelly Finnigan and her mother-in-law cry.

“It was like he was grabbing onto daddy,” Karan Finnigan said.

Daddy is 21-year-old Marine Lance Cpl. Patrick Finnigan.

Shortly after he called Kelly Finnigan to tell her that his tour had been extended 60 to 90 days, Patrick Ryan “P.J.” Finnigan was born on Jan. 13.

Patrick Finnigan started his second tour in Iraq in September. He was also in Iraq from January-August 2005.

“He didn't know I was in the hospital,” Kelly Finnigan said.

She said during a first call she heard a loud explosion and the call ended quickly.

“He said, ‘Babe, love you. I got to go,'” Kelly Finnigan said.

He called back half an hour later and told her the mortar only missed them by 100 meters.

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