Priceless present

BY RICK FOSTER AND MICHAEL GELBWASSER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

MANSFIELD

Former Mansfield residents Ross and Darrell Moore may be brothers, but for the last two years they've seen more of their uncle - Uncle Sam, that is - than each other.

Ross, 26, until lately a corporal in the Marines special forces, traveled the world taking on tough assignments for the Corps, most recently a nine-month stint in Iraq.

His brother Darrell, 23, sailed the seas with the Navy aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln before being reassigned to a helicopter squadron in California.

The two were reunited for the first time in two years Saturday at the home of their grandmother, Ann Marie Diamond, in Mansfield.

A sign on Diamond's house Saturday read, "Welcome home Ross USMC and Darrell USN. We are proud of you."

"Unfortunately, they weren't able to get home for Christmas," said Diamond. "This is our Christmas present, though."

A family gathering is planned for today at the home of the men's mother, Juliana, in Plymouth.

Both men were raised in Mansfield and Darrell is a graduate of Mansfield High School.

Darrell is currently on leave from the Navy, Diamond said.

Ross, who recently completed his enlistment, plans to study law.

"We talk on the phone periodically, but it's really nice to see him," Ross said. "He looks the same."

"He's still handsome," Darrell added.

Ross said the brothers are very close.

As kids, they did a lot of skiing and snowboarding, and played basketball, together, he said.

Now, reunited, they plan to "just spend time together" and relax, Ross said.

Ross said he will be home for a week. Darrell will be home for two weeks.

"It was really nice to see him," Darrell said.

Ellie