Hospice of Health First hosted a special birthday celebration along with a Forever a Hero
Palm Bay resident Col. Donald Paul, a true American hero, served in World War II and the Korean War
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – With less than 1 percent of all World War II veterans still living today, one remarkable hero in Palm Bay celebrated another incredible milestone this week. Colonel Donald Paul, a retired Army officer who bravely served his country for 30 years, turned 105-years-old on Thursday, Feb. 8.
In honor of his extraordinary life and service, Hospice of Health First hosted a special birthday celebration along with a Forever a Hero pinning ceremony.
The Forever a Hero pinning ceremony, part of a program offered to veterans at Health First and funded by the Health First Foundation, will pay tribute to Colonel Paul’s legacy and the countless other veterans who have served our nation with honor and distinction.
Col. Paul’s journey is one of resilience, courage and unwavering dedication to honor and serve. During World War II, he served in combat, including pivotal missions such as the seizure and defense of the Moselle River Bridgehead at Thionville and the capture of Metz, a city near the German border.
His commitment to service continued into the Korean War, where he bravely fought alongside the 3rd Infantry Division.
As family, friends and Health First representatives gathered to celebrate Colonel Paul’s milestone birthday, the gathering also recognized the significance of his generation. Their stories and sacrifices become more precious with each passing day.
“This is a profound moment in the life of every hospice patient. Hospice of Health first makes a commitment to provide what’s called an honor service and honor ceremony to all of our veterans. These are the cream of the crop, whether they’ve served two years- or like Col. Paul, 30 years. These are amazing individuals,” said Rev. Woodrow “Woody” Morrison, senior hospice chaplain at Hospice of Health First.
“When we come together to present their certificate, the American flag, the affirmation, the salute, and many other gifts creates a space where the patient can remember and be affirmed for their service to our country. And that’s an amazing thing. It’s a really spiritual moment, if you ask me – as a chaplain. It’s just a very spiritual moment,” Morrison continued.
“It’s wonderful that Health First and everybody honored his service of 30 years in the military,” said Col. Paul’s daughter, Nancy Paul Steffan, who was in attendance, along with her sister Bonnie.
“He served his country honorably and received lots of awards. And every year they have the Veterans Day event here, which is nice. He enjoys that. But he doesn’t talk much about his military service, which a lot of veterans don’t. But he is glad that he served, and I know he is very happy to be honored here today, celebrating his 105th birthday and service to our country.”
Related Story:HOT OFF THE PRESS! February 12, 2024 Space Coast Daily News – Brevard County’s Best Newspaper
The post A TRUE AMERICAN HERO: Hospice of Health First Patient Col. Donald Paul Turns 105, Honored with ‘Forever a Hero’ Ceremony appeared first on Space Coast Daily.