Bittersweet birthday sendoff for Lynn soldier

LYNN – Hugs, tears and laughter filled the air Friday evening as friends and family of U.S. Army Specialist Justin Narducci gathered to celebrate his birthday and say farewell.Narducci, a military police officer, will be 22 years old on May 3 and will be shipping out for a one-year tour in Iraq or Afghanistan on May 5.The 2007 graduate of Lynn English High said he was experiencing a myriad of emotions as he prepared to leave but he knew exactly what he was signing on for when he signed up. This is his first time going overseas and he admitted he was a little nervous, but quickly added he’s more concerned about the family and friends he’s leaving behind.”I’m not sure whether I’ll be in Iraq or Afghanistan yet,” he said. “I was just transferred into a Military Police unit.”Narducci is a familiar face on Lambert Avenue where he grew up and is frequently seen teaching younger kids to shoot hoops, organizing impromptu baseball games and acting as a big brother to younger kids.”It’s exciting because I’ll be a part of history,” he said. “But I’m worried about leaving my family behind. I’m going to miss my family and friends. I’m going to miss my brother (Chris) a lot. I’ve always tried to be a role model for him and want to be there for him.”Narducci, who graduated from the Reserve Police Academy in Reading in February, is a reserve police officer in Lawrence. He attended special training in California in March where he was qualified as an MP. His father, Paul Narducci, said he is proud of his son, but also fearful of what lies ahead.”My two sons are my best buddies,” he said. “I hate to see him go but he wanted to join the military and serve his country. I have to support him.”Christopher Narducci, 15, said he’s proud of his older brother and all he wants is for him to come home safe.”I’m afraid he’ll get killed if he goes to Iraq,” he said. “I love Justin. He’s the best big brother.”His grandparents, Vincent and Patricia Narducci, smiled and posed for pictures with their eldest grandson on Friday but there were more than a few tears mixed in.”He’s the best kid in the world,” Patricia said. “We’re both just so proud of him. I don’t know what we’d do without him. I just want him to come home safe.”Narducci joined the National Guard and attended basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia shortly after graduating high school and he also completed five weeks of advanced infantry training.Narducci, who said his favorite subjects in school were math, government and law, said when he gets out of the military he wants to stay in the law enforcement field and work with kids. He added he attends parties with friends but he doesn’t smoke or do drugs and that is a message he tries to convey to others.”I want to be in control of myself and my actions,” he said. “If you drink or do drugs you lose control. All it takes is getting high or drinking one time and you’re risking lives. I didn’t give in to peer pressure and I want other kids to know they don’t have to either.”