[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 116 (Thursday, September 23, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9554-S9555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                    Army Staff Sergeant Paul Mardis

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I have come to the floor this afternoon to 
pay tribute to a man who gave his life in service to our Nation 
fighting to protect his family, his fellow soldiers, and the Iraqi 
people. He was a brave young man who was mature certainly beyond his 
years.
  Army SSG Paul Mardis served in the Army's 3rd Battalion, 5th Special 
Forces Group based out of Fort Campbell, KY. He was seriously injured 
in May when he was in northern Iraq and a bomb exploded next to his 
Humvee. Paul was transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to 
recuperate. Although he fought valiantly to regain his strength, he 
came down with pneumonia and, tragically, his body was too weak to 
fight back. He passed away on July 15, 2004. He was only 25 years old.
  Since his death, I have learned a lot about Paul Mardis. Perhaps most 
inspiring is that in his all too brief 25 years on this Earth, Paul 
lived life to the fullest. He accomplished many things of which people 
twice his age could only dream.
  Paul was not someone who had things handed to him, either. His life 
was not always easy. He faced adversity early in his life, and even as 
a child he learned to cope better than most adults ever could. Paul's 
parents died when he was growing up. He was 10 when he lost his father 
and 14 when he lost his mother. If dealt that hand, many people might 
have become withdrawn and bitter, perhaps, but certainly not Paul. He 
continued to work hard at school, excel as a football player, and 
developed a level of maturity uncommon at any age.
  Following the death of his parents, Paul went to live with his sister 
Sherri and her husband Tollison. Paul left the life he knew in 
Coshocton, OH, and moved to Florida. He finished high school there, 
graduating from Palmetto High in 1997. Though initially he did not want 
to make the move to Florida--I guess that is understandable with 
someone his age--Paul made the best of the situation and kept in touch 
with his friends in Coshocton, especially a young woman named Kacey, 
whom he would eventually marry in October of 2002.
  After graduation, Paul attended Manatee Community College for a time. 
He knew he needed to earn more money to complete his college degree, so 
he decided to join the Army. Paul enlisted in September 1998 as an 
indirect fire infantryman, but he aspired to join the Special 
Operations Forces. He reached this goal when he became a Green Beret in 
2001. SFC Don Kabrich, who served with Paul, once said that ``Special 
Forces put our group through an assessment selection process. It's 3 
weeks of circumstances and situations that take the cover off an 
individual, and you see who's inside. They found the best of the best 
in Paul.''
  One of the most impressive things about Paul was that if anyone had a 
right to boast about his skills and accomplishments, it was certainly 
Paul Mardis. But he never did. He did not brag. He did not boast. He 
quietly went about his job--and doing it well, I might add.
  Unbeknownst to his family, Paul had earned several awards in the 
short time he had been in the Army. He was awarded two Bronze Stars for 
Valor in Combat, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement 
Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, a Purple Heart, and had 
successfully completed all the schools of the elite forces, including 
graduating with honors from basic airborne school. Despite the 
accolades, Paul remained modest. When a nurse called him a hero as he 
lay recovering in the hospital, Paul insisted that he was nothing 
special, that he was just doing his job. But, Mr. President, we know 
better.

  Paul touched the lives of all those with whom he came in contact, 
including Iraqis whom he barely knew. When Baghdad fell, Paul was part 
of a Special Forces liaison to the emerging political parties. At age 
24--24--he was actively working to restructure a foreign government, an 
amazing accomplishment for anyone, but particularly someone his age.
  Although he had many professional successes, Paul cultivated personal 
relationships in the Army that were very dear to him. Paul's Army 
buddies fondly remember him. They liked to joke that he was an 
``organizational fanatic.'' After finding old receipts tucked away in a 
filing cabinet, Paul took it upon himself to reinvent his unit's filing 
system. SSG Mark Conant, Paul's comrade, commented:

       I believe Paul has entered the pearly Gates of Heaven and 
     relieved St. Peter of his duties to get people through the 
     gates more efficiently.

  Conant and others also described Paul as an asset to the team and as 
a great friend.
  I had the privilege of meeting Paul's family and some of his friends. 
His sister Sherri remembered that Paul never did anything halfway. He 
always went above and beyond what was expected. This is undeniable. 
Paul answered our Nation's call to serve and did whatever was needed.
  It is impossible to honor Paul the way he deserves. The nature of his 
sacrifice will not allow it. I know that my words must fall short and 
my words must be inadequate. With that in mind, though, I would like to 
conclude with the words of Paul's wife Kacey. She said this about her 
beloved husband:

       Paul was a brave individual who put his life on the line so 
     that we could be free. He loved his country, fellow soldiers, 
     and believed in what he was doing. We can go to sleep at 
     night knowing that the world is a safer place because of 
     people like Paul who were willing to make the ultimate 
     sacrifice for our country. He was a true American hero.

  Though Paul Mardis never wanted to call himself a hero, he could not 
be more deserving of the title.

[[Page S9555]]

  I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GRAHAM of Florida. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. GRAHAM of Florida. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to 
speak for up to 15 minutes as in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________