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Obits from boston.com 05/25/09
Sgt. Paul F. Brooks
It was not uncommon to find Paul F. Brooks and his children playing video games or watching movies together at the house or visiting a park. "He was their buddy, all of them. They hung out around the house. They have a big house and a big yard and a dog. They just did normal family stuff," said his sister, Nikki Winn. "He was a family man. He was respectful and honorable." Brooks, 34, of Joplin, Mo., died May 21 near Baghdad of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked. He was on his second tour and was assigned to Springfield, Mo. Brooks was an E-5 medic in the Army and was working toward an E-6 status. He was always interested in the nursing and health professions. He had worked as a certified nursing assistant prior to enlisting. On his most recent tour he volunteered to go to Baghdad. "He didn''t have to go to Iraq. It was an option for him. It meant more money to help support his family," Winn said. "He joined full time to help his family." He is survived by his wife, Nicole, and his eight children, ranging in age from 2 to 16, Denver, Samara, Cody, Seth, Hailey, Corey, Aidan and Logan. |
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Jonesboro soldier dies in Baghdad bombing
The Associated Press
JONESBORO, Ark. — An Army medic from Jonesboro serving in Baghdad was among three American soldiers killed Thursday when a bomb was set off in a vehicle at an outdoor market, his family said.
Paul Faris Brooks, 35, was on his second tour in Iraq, according to his mother, Barbara Brooks.
She said a military chaplain and sergeant arrived at her home around 4 p.m. Thursday to notify the family of the death.
The blast occurred in Baghdad’s southern Dora district, where a bomb exploded near an American foot patrol, U.S. and Iraqi officials said.
The U.S. military initially reported nine U.S. personnel were wounded in the attack. Later, the military said it could not confirm that number because the injured were still being evaluated and treated.
The attack occurred about 10:38 a.m. as the soldiers patrolled near an outdoor market, according to Army Maj. David Shoupe.
Iraqi police said a suicide bomber was responsible, but Shoupe said the U.S. could not confirm that. He said four civilians died in the blast, but Iraqi police and hospital officials put the civilian toll at 12 killed and 25 wounded.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.
Mrs. Brooks said her son was a good father to his seven children, and a good husband.
“Daddy was their idol,” she said, holding a photo of four of Paul Brooks’ children. “He had good kids. He was a typical teen-ager who grew into a family man.”
Mrs. Brooks said her son attended Jonesboro High School and obtained a GED while in the military.
In addition to his mother and father, Paul David Brooks, the slain soldier is survived by his wife, Nicole, and their children — Hayley, 14; Harmony, 11; Seth, 7; Logan, 6; Aiden, 5; Samara, 3; and Denver, 2.
Mrs. Brooks said she and her husband last spoke with their son on Wednesday.
“We talked about the mission and how they had to have a medic with them,” she said.
Funeral arrangements are pending. |
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Volunteered to go to Baghdad on latest tour
The Associated Press
It was not uncommon to find Paul F. Brooks and his children playing video games or watching movies together at the house or visiting a park.
“He was their buddy, all of them. They hung out around the house. They have a big house and a big yard and a dog. They just did normal family stuff,” said his sister, Nikki Winn. “He was a family man. He was respectful and honorable.”
Brooks, 34, of Joplin, Mo., died May 21 near Baghdad of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked. He was on his second tour and was assigned to Springfield, Mo.
Brooks was an E-5 medic in the Army and was working toward an E-6 status. He was always interested in the nursing and health professions. He had worked as a certified nursing assistant prior to enlisting.
On his most recent tour he volunteered to go to Baghdad.
“He didn’t have to go to Iraq. It was an option for him. It meant more money to help support his family,” Winn said. “He joined full time to help his family.”
He is survived by his wife, Nicole, and his eight children, ranging in age from 2 to 16: Denver, Samara, Cody, Seth, Hailey, Corey, Aidan and Logan. |
| From The Daily KOS dailykos.com
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Known as "PF" to family and friends, 34-year-old Sgt. Paul F. Brooks began his military career with the Arkansas National Guard back in 1997. He later served in the Army Reserves and then joined the Missouri National Guard in July 2004. While with the Missouri National Guard, Sgt. Brooks was assigned to the 935th Aviation Support Battalion, in Springfield. Sgt. Brooks previously mobilized to Iraq in September 2006 through November 2007, with the 20th Combat Aviation Brigade out of Sedalia. This was his second deployment in Iraq.
Sgt. Brooks' military awards include: the Army Commendation Medal; the Army Achievement Medal; the Army Good Conduct Medal, second award; the National Defense Service Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; the Iraq Campaign Medal, with two bronze stars; the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two mobilization devices; the Army Service Ribbon; the Overseas Service Ribbon; the Missouri Expeditionary Ribbon, second award; and the Missouri Five Year Long Service Ribbon and Combat Action Badge. He has also been submitted for the Purple Heart, and Bronze Star Medal. Sgt. Brooks received his Army Commendation Medal for his first tour in Iraq, where he was cited for outstanding performance as the battalion's only medic. "Sgt. Brooks did a fantastic job taking care of [fellow] soldier's health related needs."
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have Sgt. Brooks on their Watch List, where messages of support and sympathy are being left for the Brooks family. Friends of Mr. Brooks, Sgt. Brooks' father, have also set up a Guest Book in memory of their friend.
Photo Caption: An Army Corps carry team carries the transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army Sgt. Paul F. Brooks next to the remains U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Brian Naseman during a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware on Sunday, May 24, 2009. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez
I was heartbroken to learn that Sgt. Brooks was married, and a daddy to seven children. "PF" and his family were residents of Jonesboro, Arkansas, where Paul attended Jonesboro High School and obtained his GED while in the military. I read that that Paul joined in military in hopes of giving a better life to his loved ones, and that "the soft-spoken family man and his wife were devoted parents."
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have Sgt. Brooks on their Watch List, where messages of support and sympathy are being left for the Brooks family.
Sgt. Paul "PF" Faris Brooks is survived by his parents, Barbara Brooks and Paul David Brooks; his wife, and their seven children. Our hearts ache for all who knew and loved Paul Brooks, especially his seven babies. Please know that we stand with you at this terrible time of loss. |
| From The Missourian columbiamissourian.com
05/24/09:
Missouri National Guard soldier killed in Iraq
Sunday, May 24, 2009 | 9:03 p.m. CDT; updated 11:57 a.m. CDT, Monday, June 21, 2010
JEFFERSON CITY,— A Missouri Army National Guard soldier from Joplin has died of wounds he suffered in Iraq.
Sgt. Paul Faris Brooks was injured May 21 when his unit was attacked near Baghdad, Iraq. Two others — Maj. Jason E. George, of Tehachapi Calif., and 1st Lt. Leevi K. Barnard, of Mount Airy, N.C. — also were killed in the attack.
The 34-year-old Brooks joined the Missouri National Guard in July 2004 and was most recently assigned to the 935th Aviation Support Battalion in Springfield. He was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.
He received several military honors, including the Army Commendation Medal for outstanding performance as the battalion's only medic during his first mobilization.
Brooks is the 10th Missouri National Guard soldier killed during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. |
| From Ozarks Public Radio KSMU
05/27/09:
The Missouri National Guard says a Missouri soldier has been killed in Iraq after an IED, or an improvised explosive device, went off near his unit outside Baghdad. KSMU's Jennifer Moore has details.
MO National Guard Soldier Among Three Dead
Armor plated Humvees line up at the National Guard Armory in Springfield, Missouri.
Pictures
34-year-old Paul Brooks of Fort Leonard Wood died of wounds from the explosion last Thursday.
Brooks was a member of Springfield’s 935th Aviation Support Battalion, and was in Iraq serving as a medic.
Two other soldiers were also killed in the same incident.
Brooks had volunteered for his second deployment to Iraq through the National Guard Bureau.
Officials say funeral arrangements are still pending.
For KSMU News, I'm Jennifer Moore. |
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