On Saturday afternoon, one of the few surviving members of the U.S. Army’s World War II 82nd Airborne Division, 504th Parachute Regiment, Paul White, 89, of Belleview, a true American hero, was honored by a large crowd of family and friends at VFW Post 8083.
In a solemn tribute, which included the playing of the Army song, echo taps by two buglers, a flag-folding ceremony and a 21-gun salute, friends, family, and fellow members of the VFW Honor Guard, said a tearful goodbye to the Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient, who parachuted onto Normandy beachhead on D-Day, and served as a combat medic, providing medical aid to wounded troops throughout the remainder of the war.
“It was an honor to know Paul White,” post officer and fellow Honor Guard member, Bill Kirsap, said in his eulogy. “Never in my over 60 times as bugler have I felt so much pain as today. He almost made it to 90 years old, but got tired of being sick. A lot of people are better people because they knew Paul White. He and his wife, Wanda, fed everybody big meals when they cooked at the post,” Kirsap said with a smile. “They made us all fat. Paul was a great grill man, and he made us wash the chickens before he grilled them, so he was sure they would be clean.”
A wonderful memory for White was his 2010 Honor Flight to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
“I believe that was the last trip Paul made,” Kirsap added.
Post Commander Dennis Stier spoke endearingly of Paul White, his wife, Wanda, who pre-deceased him, and his daughters, Caryl Shovan and Judy Taylor.
“I knew Paul White back in the eighties. I remember him on the Honor Guard, welcoming Vietnam veterans back home to Florida,” Stier sadi.
“They had eight grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren,” White’s son-in-law, Will Shovan said. “He was a loving father and family man; and will be greatly missed.
We were proud to have Paul as part of our Honor Guard,” Bob Seguin, VFW Honor Guard Commander said. “This is a very sad day.”
He said everyone who knew White loved him.
“The World War II generation did a lot for us,” Seguin continued. “I didn’t realize how much until May of 2014, when I was in New Orleans. We visited the World War II Museum there and spent the entire day reviewing the history and seeing the mementos. That showed us why that generation is called ‘The Greatest Generation.”
The Veterans of Foreign Wars has a rich tradition of enhancing the lives of millions through its community service programs and special projects. They provide free phone cards to our nation’s active duty military personnel and raised funds for the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C.
They continue to be a strong voice for veterans and a catalyst for change in improving veterans’ benefits.
“We honor the dead by helping the living,” is the group’s motto.
