Our walk today was dedicated in honor of:
Army SSG Paul F. Brooks, Age 34 of Joplin, MO.
KIA May 21, 2009 during Operation Iraqi Freedom
SSG Paul F. Brooks, an Arkansas Native, was born Oct. 10, 1974. Paul was a Combat Medic and 11 year
veteran of the Army National Guard and Reserves. He was assigned to the 935th Aviation Support
Battalion in Springfield, Missouri when deployed to Baghdad for his second tour, 5 May 2009. Paul, P.F.
to family and very close friends, volunteered for this second tour which would mean a promotion from
an E-5 to E-6 status. This meant he would be better able to provide for his wife and 5 children who were
everything to him. To P.F., FAMILY was everything. He got his promotion, and his family is being very
well provided for. Unfortunately, this was/is all posthumously, and he is now providing for his family
from Heaven. On 21 May 2009, Paul was killed in action by what was presumed to be a suicide bombing
near Baghdad, Iraq. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his ultimate sacrifice, and his
family now displays a folded flag in his honor.
Paul also received numerous awards while serving his country and was loved and admired by the men
and women he served with. This was evident by the number in attendance at his funeral to pay respects
to their “brother in arms”, their battle buddy! There must have been 100 men and women in uniform at
his service, not to mention the 100 plus Patriot Guard members who were there to honor Paul and to be
a strong presence against those who might wish to dishonor his service and family.
Paul was an amazing soldier, but P.F. was an even more amazing son, husband, father, brother,
grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend. He loved fishing and playing video games with his boys and
adored cuddle time with his little princess. P.F. loved building fires with his dad and enjoyed visits from
family in the home he so proudly made for his wife and kids. It meant so much for him to see his family
proud of what he had worked so hard to accomplish in his life. Even though his home was miles away
from his family in Arkansas, they could count on him to be there at the drop of a pin if they needed him
present. Family meant everything to P.F., and it was evident in every aspect of his life.
There is a memorial at the Fayetteville Armory in Fayetteville, North Carolina dedicated to Paul and the
other two soldiers, Maj. Jason E. George and 1st Lt. Leevi K. Barnard, who were killed alongside him.
Also, on October 12, 2018, which happens to be his dad’s birthday, the Butner Medical Detachment will
be renaming one of their buildings after Paul. His family is truly humbled at this tribute to the Soldier
they all wish they could have had in their lives for a season longer. P.F.’s family has been blessed to hear
stories and learn about how great a Soldier SSG Paul Brooks was by talking to the men and women he
served with, and they all loved him like a brother too.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”. John 15:13
SSG Paul F. Brooks, P.F., laid his life down for his friends, family, and his country on May 21, 2009. This
day shall forever be etched in the minds of all of us as a day we lost a true Hero!!! This is the day we lost
a husband, son, father, brother, grandson, cousin, uncle, nephew, and friend!
It was a great honor to walk 9.65 Miles with Army SSG Paul F. Brooks. We headed west on Sparta Hwy and took Northside Drive. Once we reached 127 we headed South. We made a stop at the Veterans Memorial Park where we run into a few of our local Veterans. It was great to see them this morning. We then read a few names of our Fallen Brothers on the Memorial Wall and then we continued south till we got to Lantana road. Headed back north on West Ave. We then headed back towards the house. We had beautiful weather for our walk this morning. I want to thank everyone for their honks, waves, and salutes. We had 418 honks. It was amazing. Thank you.
Army SSG Paul F. Brooks will not be forgotten !
