Independence Flier Leaves Behind Anguished Mother in San Diego

Lucy Gagan knew the day would come--and she said her son was ready for it.

“Like my son always says, we have to show the world we are No. 1,” Gagan said Wednesday about her son, Lt. Cmdr. Casey Gagan, a fighter pilot aboard the San Diego-based aircraft carrier Independence.

The Independence is heading a carrier battle group positioned at the mouth of the Persian Gulf as part of the growing U.S. military involvement in the conflict between Iraq and Kuwait.

Gagan is one of scores of worried relatives and friends of servicemen aboard the Independence, which departed San Diego Harbor July 23.

She expressed support for President Bush’s decision to send U.S. military personnel to the troubled region.

“I’m behind it 100%. Like my son says, you can’t run and hide or cry or worry or feel sorry for yourself. You have to get out there and show that we’re No. 1,” Gagan said.

Although acknowledging that she was worried for her son’s safety, Gagan said the best way for servicemen’s relatives to get through the waiting is to be strong.

“I’m very, very sad, but I won’t show that because I’m very strong,” she said. “My son is strong, too. You have to do your job. Think of the next generation and what you are doing to help them.”

Gagan said she sends letters and packages of cookies and other goodies every morning to her son, an 11-year naval veteran who has plenty of experience in training missions overseas but no combat experience.

“He writes to me every six days and the letters all arrive at once,” she said.

Her son’s letters and phone calls are especially important, Gagan said, since her husband, Dale, a Navy and Air Force veteran, died May 20, a few weeks before their son went to sea.

“Casey likes the Navy, he enjoys it, he is very gung-ho,” Gagan said. “He will be home in six months . . . if nothing happens.”