Paul A. Valipour came back to visit staff and students today. He is an impressive 2003 graduate of Vanguard School. The year following his graduation he entered the Marine Corps. “If my country needs me I will fight to defend it.” Paul spoke these words very passionately.
Throughout his four years in the Marine Corps Valipour was shuffled around quite frequently, being sent to Japan for three years and deployed to Korea, Indonesia, The Philippines and Iraq along with various other countries. Paul said, “The war would not be necessary, if everyone just got along.” His words are very similar to those of another great American, President John F. Kennedy, “It is an unfortunate fact that we can secure peace only by preparing for war.”
During Paul’s tours of service he said he did not take another life. The first time he witnessed a fatal injury he was in disbelief, he said. The man was on the edge of death, bleeding profusely due to the loss of both of his legs. “You see it at the movies and you know when it happens it will be horrible. It doesn’t hit you at first, but when reality sets in it’s like, whoa.”
Paul was honorably discharged this year and is starting a new career as a Substance Abuse Technician at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights next week. Through serving his country he protected all mankind and similarly continues in his new career path of helping those in need.
“The most notable thing about Paul was he wasn’t sure what direction to take so he joined the marines. Most people don’t find themselves, he did,” said Paul’s team leader Robert Koralik.
Whether you are for the war or against it, the men and women who fight for our country are true heroes. It takes an immense amount of strength to go out and fight for what you believe. All this being said, we are sincerely thankful for Paul’s depth of character, courage and safe return home. Natalie DeMeo, Paul’s former teacher and mentor said perfectly in the simplest terms, “Paul is a hero.”
Story by Jaclyn Cimarusti
Photos courtesy of Paul Valipour's myspace page
“Be glad today. Tomorrow may bring tears. Be brave today. The darkest night will pass. And golden rays will usher in the dawn.”-Sarah Knowles Bolton
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