Virginia Beach family's legacy built on service, sacrifice

By Staci Dennis

Correspondent

Serving 20 years in the Army and a tour in Vietnam was just part of the training Richard "Dick" Paradiso received to become a good father and grandfather.

"I think who I am as a father was shaped by what I learned in the Army," the 75-year-old said. "Once I became a father, it shaped who I was in the Army."

Paradiso wasn't the first in his family. His father, Tony Paradiso, was a soldier in the Italian Army Alpine Corps and fought in World War II.

"I didn't have any intentions of joining the Army or making a career of it," Dick said. "Once I got in, I was home. I loved it."

Four generations later, the Paradiso family is still Army strong.

Starting with Tony, then on to his son, Dick, and then to Richard "Rick" Paradiso Jr., and now Richard "Trey" Paradiso III, all four generations joined the Army.

"I swore I would never join the Army after I had to live with it my whole life," said Rick Paradiso, 51. "Like my dad, once I got in, it felt like home and I loved it."

Dick joined the Army because he needed a job. Rick joined ROTC in college and when it came to decision time, "I just went with it," he said.

Dick served 20 years and five days and retired as a major. Rick served 20 years and three days and retired as a lieutenant colonel.

A 2003 graduate of Cox High School, Trey needed a way to pay for college.

"The last thing I wanted to do was join the Army," he said. "I hated it and didn't want anything to do with it."

Finishing school was a driving force behind Trey's decision and one way to make that happen was with the Army's help. So, at 17, he enlisted after getting special permission from his parents. After finishing school, he was commissioned as an officer. Today he is a first lieutenant.

"I want to make this a career," the 23-year-old said. "I want to beat my dad and make colonel."

Trey has already been to Iraq once and is headed back at the end of July for a 12-month deployment. He volunteered for both tours.

"We are very proud of him and all he has done," said his father, Rick Paradiso. "I know he will do well in the Army and find his home there just like we did."

Rick says his time in the Army also prepared him for raising two sons.

"You love those soldiers like they are your own family," he said. "You nurture and guide them and make sure they have all they need to succeed. How much more do you do that with your own family?"

Even though Trey doesn't have children yet, he is already being groomed.

"I feel the need to protect my soldiers and do all I can for them," he said. "It's more than a brotherhood. They are my family too."

But it's the tradition passed on from four generations ago that runs deeper than combat training and achieving rank.

While in college, Trey took some art classes in Italy. When he stepped off the plane, he got goose bumps.

"I knew I was in the country were my great grandfather lived and served," he said. "It was a special moment."

In addition, Trey attended Airborne school at Fort Benning, Ga. When his boots hit the ground he knew it was the same dirt and land where his father completed identical training.

"I was born to do this," Trey said. "I bleed green."

Another influence in Trey's life was his grandfather, David L. Conder, who died four years ago. He served 30 years in the Navy and retired as a master chief.

"I think he would be proud of me today," Trey said. "He was a great man."

Paradiso family tradition has produced Army soldiers and productive citizens. In addition, it has yielded a deep-rooted love of country.

"We live in the greatest country on earth thanks to the service or people like my great grandfather, grandfather and my father," Trey said. "I love America."

Staci Dennis, sdennis@cox.net