NEWCASTLE - Corporal Dan Patterson's view of the world has changed a little, after seeing so much of it as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The 20-year-old Durham native, who has dual Canadian-American citizenship, is currently on a month-long leave from the U.S. Marines, after returning by ship from Iraq earlier this month. While here, he is staying at the Newcastle home of his parents, Dave and Roberta.

"I definitely look at life a little bit differently," says Corp. Patterson, who was meritoriously promoted from Lance-Corporal while in Iraq, though he can't say why he received the honour. "Basically, I'm the same person, but I look at life a bit differently."

The Monsignor Paul Dwyer graduate was part of an advanced party of Marines to go into Iraq, after leaving his California base in January. He was involved in the take-over of Basra International Airport at the beginning of the war and was present for the toppling of the statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad.

"We saw a lot but we're trained for it," says Corp. Patterson, who admits nothing can completely prepare a person for actual fighting. "You always try to imagine yourself in combat, but it's like nothing you can imagine."

Nor can anything prepare a parent for their child marching off to war, says his mother.

"As parents, when they enter the military, we really don't think of this part of it," says Mrs. Patterson, calling the time her son spent in Iraq "torture" for her and her husband.

"We don't understand what he went through ... but by the same token, as parents, he won't know what we went through," she relates.

That's why it was so important for the family, including Corp. Patterson's sister Trisha, to be on hand when he stepped off the ship in California earlier this month. And it's what makes his time at home even more special, says the Marine's father.

"Even though we were lucky to go and receive him in San Diego, and a lot of emotions were let out, there's a lot of emotion, to hug and hold him, and see him physically" that remains to be dealt with, says Mr. Patterson.

Though the major part of the fighting is over, the Patterson family is still thinking of those who remain in Iraq, completing the mission, and their families, they say. But his part of the job was done, says Corp. Patterson.

"The Marine Corps is so small that we don't have the manpower to do the peacekeeping. We do the fighting ... we go in and kick down the door," he says.

"As long as I have the support from the people I need support from, I'm golden."

Corp. Patterson, who joined the Marines fresh out of high school over three years ago, has 11 months left in this stint with the Corps, and isn't sure whether he'll re-enlist.

"I'm still thinking about it," he says. "I've got a lot on my plate."

He's also considering returning to Canada to go back to school or pursue a career in law enforcement, or finding a job within the U.S. government. He admits to feeling some pressure from within the military to sign up again, "because I got meritoriously promoted over there. But they know the decision's up to me."

His parents also have their take on what he should do next, but are careful not to exert any pressure.

"We've noticed since he's become a corporal, that he does his own thing. It's a sign of leadership," says Mr. Patterson. "We're hoping he comes back here to Durham and serves here in Durham. But we don't want to be selfish about things."

The Pattersons will hold a homecoming ceremony and press conference, open to family and friends, this Saturday, and will present Corp. Patterson with a Web site they have created for him. Those who cannot attend but wish to post welcome home wishes can do so at https://corporalpatterson.tripod.com/.

Anyone who wishes to attend the ceremony should RSVP by calling 905-987-4706.

After Saturday's ceremony, Corp. Patterson intends to take a break from all the attention he's received since returning home, and spend time with family and friends. He says he really doesn't need any adulation for doing what he calls his "job."

"I don't need to tell my story. I don't need to tell about it, because what it means to me, it means to me, and that's what I care about," he says. "As long as I have the support from the people I need support from, I'm golden."