I could not have wrote it any better!  / Cindy Corder Big Sister (Sister)
Hey little brother. Time has seemed to go by so fast it just seems like yesterday sometimes. I still have trouble on days just wishing I could pick up the phone and hear your voice. I sit here and I read what Momma Carroll wrote and must say she writes for us all I could not have wrote the story any better or more clear. I still remember Kace calling me that Juli 15th saying hey Cin the nurse just called saying Paul is having a bad night. Will you talk to me while I walk over there. We stayed a a home for the families at Walter Reed when we went to stay and help Kace and be with Paul. It was a good walk to the hospital part from there and kinda dark and creepy at times. I said sure Im in the bath getting ready for work so I was not going anywhere. She arrived so we hung up after our Love you's and talk soon and I continued to get ready for work. Grandma Corder arrived because I left for work at 5:30. I was putting my shoes on to walk out the door and was finishing my cup of coffee and talking with Grandma when the phone rang again. It was Kace. I said  jokingly hey didn't I already talk to you today ha ha. She was trying to clear her voice and say to me Cin I need you to get in the car and get over here right now! It was a six hour drive that I turned into not once but twice a four and a half hour drive this being the second time when she said to me Cin Paul is gone hunny he didnt make it. I said no he didn't I was just there he is fine. She said Cin I'm so sorry but he is gone and I need you here. I fell to the ground on my knees screaming. After what seemed to me minutes but was actually a few seconds. Grandma was yelling what is wrong Cindy get up and talk.  I told Kacey I would be there as soon as I could I had to call Justin at work and call off work. Grandma called him and I ran with my cell to the bedroom to pack some clothes in a bag and call work. Justin was home in 15 minutes and we was on our way. I still to this day do not know how kacey stayed so strong through all of this so she in my eyes was a hero to me as well! I love You Both!!! I Miss You Paul! Not a day goes by we don't think about our American Soldier. Kisses~Forever In Our Hearts~Cindy. Close

7 years but seems like just yesterday. . .  / Cindy Carroll (Momma)

Paul

It is around midnight Juli 15 2011.  Exactly 7 years ago today God called one of the bravest soldiers I have ever known home!  I remember the day as tho it were yesterday with much sadness.  I can't sleep tonight because of thinking about Oktober 26 2002 and how happy we all were and how much we celebrated you and Kacey getting married!  Spank and I discussed many times how proud we were of the young man you had come to be and when you asked Kacey to marry you we knew that we didn't have to worry about you two because your love for each other was so pure and strong that we knew you two would have a long life together.  It was so evident how much you two loved each other and how much you wanted to take care of Kace and provide for her!  We were so proud and happy for you both.  It was as if God placed a kiss on that day because it was a most beautiful fall day for the wedding. We still have the wedding pictures hanging on the wall.  You were a beautiful couple and a promising future was ahead of you.  Then the war came. . . you had to leave in Februari 2005.  I got the call from Kace and I went to Tennessee to get her it was too much for a young wife to deal with being left alone so far from home and all the worry of having her husband in a war zone.  She came home but so many sleepless nights in front of the television watching the coverage of the war and looking hoping maybe to catch a glimpse of what was happening with your group.  My heart was breaking for Kacey and my mind was going crazy with worry for you!  I prayed like I've never prayed for the next 8 months then the phone call came that you were hurt but you were going to be okay.  You were coming home!  Yay!  But when you got home and we came down to visit you all you were different.  Very quiet introspective just different.  So you and Kace decided to take that honeymoon trip that you didn't get to have after the wedding.  You left for Florida to visit Sherri and Tully and the family there and Kace said you had a good time but you weren't feeling well because of your injuries.  Then the next thing I know she calls saying you're going back what?  It's only been a few months and you're not 100% in my mind but she says the doc released you to go.  Are they nuts?  Well then we got another phone call only this time it wasn't you it was a doctor and it was serious!  Lots of hurrying around to get arrangements made for Kacey to fly to Landstuhl Germany with Sherri to see you there they weren't sure you were going to make it!  What? Lord what is going on?  This was the week of Patrick's graduation party and this was supposed to be a happy time. What is going on Paul told me right before he left. . . "Don't worry mom lightning never strikes twice in the same place!"  So with much worry on our minds we have Patrick's graduation party but are anxiously awaiting the call on when Kacey was to leave.  That call comes and they are flying her to Washington Dc to meet with Sherri and get their passports and then on to Landstuhl Germany.  But I get a call and she is upset they might be bringing you to DC and she isnt sure what to do I told her "Do not get on that plane".  I don't want you in Germany and Paul here just wait tonight and see if they bring him and then make a decision tomorrow.  Well they were able to bring you to DC.  But things weren't good.  As soon as graduation is over we come to DC to see you and be there with Kacey.  Wow not what we expected you had a long road and there were no guarantees.  The coming weeks were a flurry of docs and ups and downs.  We took turns staying there with you and Kacey helping however we could and I personally spent many hours on my knees in the chapel at Walter Reed Medical Center praying for God to spare your life.  The most difficult and heart wrenching 6 weeks of our lives. . . but the first of Juli after I was there for a week with Kacey & you it appeared that you had finally turned the corner.  They had you up and you walked and were being scheduled for the first of several surgeries to repair the damage caused from the IED.  So I feel like things are going well and Cindy is on her way to spend the next week with Kacey while we went to see Kyle in California for a week.  We were in California and we got the call on 7/15/2004 in the wee hours of the morning you went home to be with Jesus.  The flight home from California was so long and very difficult how could this have happened?  You were gone!  It can't be real! I need to be home with my daughter!  I can't believe that he is gone!  Paul was cheated of a long life with his beautiful wife children and growing old!  This just isn't fair!  The next several weeks were such a blur and very difficult.  It tore our hearts out that this was happening you were gone and our daughter's life was turned upside down and her husband was gone at 24!  Nothing made sense all of a sudden.  It is now 7 years later and as I try to close my eyes to sleep tonight sleep won't come  it feels like it was just yesterday.  We are all going on with our lives but we miss you!  You were one of the bravest most honorable soldiers I know and you are greatly missed by us all!  We are proud of how courageously and selflessly you served your country and will always love you.  We will see you soon in heaven!  Love and Hugs Momma Carroll      

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Taps for the Fallen Brave  / Momma Carroll (Mother-in-law)

Taps for the Fallen Brave

Take sweet rest now my dearest brother
Who’s given the gift of life to another
As we play taps o’er our fallen brave
O’er a brother who went forth the world to save.

Live now in everlasting peace
With true glory that will never cease
At long last of life’s vile torment free
Hear now taps sweet melody.
Patriotism fills my heart now melancholy
With a soldier’s rhapsody
Who helped keep freedom free.

Before thee now I bow on bended knee
Majestic taps playing sweetly
O’er thy sacred heroes grave
Honoring thee fallen in battle brave
Honoring he who went where angels fear to tread
Who shed sweet essence bubbling red
Thrust into a hell sweet and sour bled.

Hear now the bugle play soft and sweet
Sadly forlorn its martial beat
Taps now bestowing
Deep respect in hearts glowing
Mournful notes final honor showing
For a frail life torn wickedly asunder
Torn through war’s mighty veil of thunder.

I hear your marching feet
In the honeyed melody bittersweet.
I feel your soul in air breathed free
You gave for your country.
In the bugle’s solemn refrain I see your smile
A smile that lightened your way o’er many a mile.

O honor this patch of earth now by thee sweetened
Salute a brother sent to preserve freedom’s trampled
Who gave his life for all to save
From the core of a goodly heart brave
Pay final tribute
To a man steadfast and strong in duty resolute.

Remember his sweet memory
His life lived not for himself but for thee
Wipe away now that lonely tear
Weep ye not over his tragic bier.
He’s passed through gossamer wings of a veil sheer
Deployed to celestial courts on high
Where in repose sweet heroes lie...
Where God is nigh.

Death has no sting in victory...
He’s honored now by angels in gloried assembly
Warrior brothers forming an honor guard of glory
For from the eternities he did not die!
You’ll join hearts and souls again by and by
With the reunion of soldiers who finally know...
The answer to a soldier’s eternal question why?
By Gary Jacobson

Happy Birthday miss ya more than ever!

Love ya

Momma Carroll

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Happy Birthday!  / Cindy Corder Big Sister (Sister)
Just thinking of you today wanted to say I Love You And miss You more and more every day. I have had a lot going on in the last couple months. We lost Grandma Corder in Januari and I just had back surgery again. I got to go to Italy in Januari to meet Gregorio's Family and I got to go to Venice. It was awsome! Some how things could be better if you was just here to talk to some times. I miss hearing your voice and your words of encouragement that always made me feel better after we could talk. Well Happy Birthday Little Brother! I Love You and Miss You Terribly. Forever in our Hearts~Cindy Close

Another year gone by and there is still an ache!  / Cindy Carroll (Mother-in-law)

Paul

Your birthday is rapidly approaching and you would have been celebrating 31!  Wow I sure wish I could say that the ache was less but I just think that we've gotten used to it.  Although we can talk about you much easier and tell stories about you and can laugh about your antics we wish you were here!  We've had some crazy snowstorms the last few weeks and it reminded me of the trip you and a few of your boys made up here to Ohio to see Kacey you guys got stuck here a few extra days because the weather was so bad (snow and ice).  I had bodies sleeping everywhere and the house was so full of life and laughter I loved those days!  I remember some heart to heart conversations you and I had about love and life you were wise beyond your years sometimes and then sometimes not so wise!  Ha ha!  But I loved you even in your mischieviousness and my heart still aches that you and Kacey's life together was cut so short!  I don't question why because the one thing I can say without reserve. . . . is that you were doing what you loved!  Well just wanted to remember you as your birthday approaches and say we love you and miss you!  Thank you for your service and sacrifice and may you rest in peace SSg Paul C Mardis Jr and we will see you soon! 

Love ya

Mom 

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Happy Birthday!  / Cindy Corder (Big Sister )

Happy 30th Birthday Paul!! You know How much we miss you and love you!!! I so wish you was here!!! I miss my Friend!  I Love You!!!! Hugs and Kisses~Cin

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I think of you often  / David Welch (5th Group brother )

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

I didn't know Paul very well but I do remember him. 
We had gone to a military school together but I don't remember which one.   I know Paul was a good man and soldier because of all the stories I heard about him after he left us.  I was one of his pallbears at his funeral in Ohio.  I was so amazed at the out pouring of support that Paul recieved durning his funeral.  The people of his home town were amazing.  That was a lasting expericence in my life, to be on Paul's last partol.....home.   I love you brother!!!

David

I have a memorial Photo album on my facebook to honor Paul and his brothers. Close

Missing You!!!  / Cindy Corder (Proud Big Sister! )

_{Hello Little Brother!! I woke up this morning dreading starting this day sitting here knowing that four years ago this morning Kace had to make the hardest phone call in her life. You was gone, and nothing anyone could do to bring you back to us.  Kace and I talked the other night about it being four years and that it seems like just yesterday.In those very short four years I have had many struggles without my  Brother, my Friend, my Rock of Faith that I once had.  I just want you to know that I Miss You!! And I Love You, And I wish you was here. For Sherri, Kace, And the Kids,and  Mom and Dad C. and evryone else that lives you have touched with so much more then being a Husband, a Brother , a Son , an Uncle, a  Nephew, a Cousin, and a Friend!  We Miss You Paul!!! And We Love You So Much and will never forget!!!  Until We Meet Again~I Love You!}

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hey bro  / Adam Kohler (friend)

hey bro,

happy memorial day. i know you hear thanks a lot for being a great soldier and all your great contributions and sacrifices that you made. But seriously, thank you for being a great person and someone to look up to. You are a great man and someone to learn a great deal from. Integrity, commitment, and a great sense of character. Man I miss you and days that go by where you are not in my thoughts are very few, hardly ever. Its so tough cause I know you miss us more than we could imagine. anyways, sorry about getting so sappy, happens everytime. anyways, I love ya, and miss ya,

rat

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Never Forget!  / Misty(sister Cpl. Rusty Washam)
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Happy 29th Birthday  / Cindy Carroll (Mom-in-Law)

Paul

You've been on my mind alot lately, knowing that today was your 29th Birthday.  We sure miss you and as Cindy said your goofy little antics that kept us laughing until we cried. I remember that winter also that you and the boys came up it was a great time and what we wouldn't give to have the opportunity to sit around with you and laugh about the good times just one more time!  I guess that will have to wait for a while, but I just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you and wishing you a Happy 29th Birthday!  By the way, I know you remember firsthand how nervous Kacey used to get about driving in the bad weather: Kace and I were talking on Friday about how proud you would have been of her because she drove home from Newark in that driving snow storm by herself!  She is getting stronger everyday and I know that you are watching over her and you're her guardian angel!  Keep up the good work soldier and we all look forward to the day when we see you again in Heaven! Love ya lots and miss ya! 

Happy Birthday!

Mom & Dad Carroll

"For the Fallen"
September 1914

They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old;
age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.


R.L. Binyon

Revelations 21:4  "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

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Almost the big 30!  / Cindy Corder (Big Sister )

Hey Buddy, Happy Birthday to You!!!! I can't even believe you would be 29 years old. Ha Ha, Almost 30!!! I wish you was here so we could atleast celebrate it with everyone. We just had a snow storm from hell this weekend, and it reminded me of you being at my house, and trying to get back to base and you had Bunce and all the other southern boys that had no clue how  to drive in ohio in the winter time. I was laughing my butt off I know that much. I was sure you would call us in an hour saying you wrecked or was stuck in the snow somewhere. I am daily reminded of you, and all your stunts, and all your tricks and pranks that made you who you was,and gives me tuns of the best memories of you any sister could want to have of there Baby Brother. I love you Paul, I miss you so incredibly bad sometimes, but when I do,I just stop and think of something  you have done to make me laugh, and it helps me to get by when I miss you so bad. Happy 29Th Birthday lil Brother, I Love You!!!!! Always and forever till we meet again~Cindy 

P.S. Can you believe Michael is gonna be 18 in a couple weeks! I wish you was here so you could feel as old as Sherri and I!! Love You! Watch over us up there~Mauh~Kisses

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Merry Christmas!  / Cindy Corder (Big Sister )
Today is Christmas Eve,and right now I am at work. Sounds fun huh. I just want you to know that we miss you, and we love you so much! Wish you was here so all of us could be together. I wish I had you here to make me laugh and give me the keep your head up talk. I really need that today,haveing a bit of the Christmas bluhs. Well I miss you, and I love you,Give mom and dad kisses for us~Love You~Cin Close

Merry Christmas  / Sgt Kammerer (Brother in Arms )
Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give
And to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind
A sober thought came through my mind.

For this house was different, so dark and dreary,
I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

I heard stories about them, I had to see more
So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.

And there he lay sleeping silent alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home.

His face so gentle, his room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a United States soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,
I soon understood this was more then a man.

For I realized the families that I saw that night
Owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.

Soon ‘round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom each month of the day,
Because of soldiers like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.

Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The solder awakened and I heard a rough voice,
“Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice;

I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more,
My life is my God, my country, my Corps.”

With that he rolled over and drifted off into sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still,
I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.

And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,
With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.

And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.

I didn’t want to leave him on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a voice so clean and pure,
“Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas day, all is secure.”

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night! Close

One of your favorite days  / Kacey Mardis (wife)

I was just sitting here thinking that Thanksgiving is this week and oh how you loved to eat. You never let anything go to waste. I wish that you were here with us to enjoy the day.... Not a day goes by tht you don't cross my mind and I wonder what life would have been like had you still been here. I know that god does everything for a reason and it is not my job to question that but kow that I am waiting for the day that we can be together again... You will always be in my thoughts and heart... I will always love u......Continue to watch over all of us and be there to give us a little nudge when things seem tough. You were always good at that.

Love & Miss You
Kace

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Happy Veterans Day Paul!  / Cindy Corder (Big Sister )
Hey Buddy! Just wanted you to know I am thinking about you this Veterans Day! We all miss you so much, the holidays are comeing and I know you knew this time of  year was bad for me anyway, with mom and all. The kids are all so proud of you, every year at the girls school, the have a Veterans Day Celebation. I just know you would be  so proud of the girls! All the kids miss you so much, even tho they was little they remember everything about you! I want to read you something that Olivia who is in second grade now wrote for shool one day! They have to write a story weekly, and I know out of the last 10 to 12 weeks of school,three weeks was letters about uncle Chuck, and how much of a hero you was.Okay I am writeing this exactly how your niece wrote it! This topic was My Family, written by Olivia Annette Corder~
     Most of the time my family is nice alaute.(alot) My unkle Chuk died in the worw. In 2004 he got shot by a bom in the neck. He went to the hspetole in Woshiton dc. One moreing my ant Kacey   walked in his room she thot he was slepping, but he was dead. It was relly relly saad. Me and my sister Abby fiet alot. all of us have fun together. We have fun swimming together. The trip to forodo was fun. I love my family. this is a great family. Their is a lot of pet in my family. It's fun! 
                        So you see little  brother, they do know, and they do miss you! I cried for two days when I read this. Some times they will just come up and blurt something out about you. Sometimes the say things in letters from school, and sometimes, well alot Abby just comes up and says Momma I miss Uncle Chuck! I really want to bust in to tears every single time, but instead I just tell them another story, about what you did for us, or something sooo funny you used to do when we was there age, and it helps me teach them all about you, and helps me remember that I had the best Baby Brother in the world, And that I love him more then anything!!!!! And That I miss you so much, you can't even believe sometimes how much! Still so much more pain,heartache,and the lost feeling that I feel when I think of you! But so much more to look forward to when our family is all together again!!! Happy Veterans Day Paul!!!! We Love You~Cinner Close

Happy Fall  / Sherri Lawrence (Big Sis )
Hey, Little Bro!

We have all been thinking about you a lot lately.  Morgan wore her camo to school with Alex's Special Forces t-shirt and of course that reminded her of you!

She still remembers so much!  She knows the last time she saw you you went trick or treating with us, and she knows that you loved your skoal, but you and Aunt Kacey had this crazy idea you would both quite nicotine on a 1,200 mile trip to see us after your first injury!  

This time of year is so hard for me.  I keep myself so busy my head spins, just so I don't have to think about the things you and Kacey and our family has lost.  This is a down time for me now.  No more band, fair is over, and school is in a routine.  I think about you and mom and dad every day.

I just wanted to let you know I will keep you alive in the kids hearts until we can see you, again.  I truly believe we will see each other, again.  That is all I have to keep me moving forward.  Put in a good word for me!  Sometimes I need a little shove to be the Christian I should!  Love ya! Close

Time passes slowly. . .  / Mom
Paul,
It's me, Mom, just seems so hard to believe that this weekend, you and Kace would have celebrated your 5th wedding anniversary.  I know that we will never have the answers as to what really happened, and all that really matters is that you are at peace and not suffering.  We will see you again someday when the Lord decides to call us home. The days seem long sometimes and the family is all getting by.  I found a postcard last night ,when I was cleaning our some papers, that you sent to Spank and it was like you were still here for just a moment.  I thought as time went by the pain would be less and sometimes it is, but some days try as we might, it seems unbearable.  Kace is getting by, you would be proud of her!  She tries to be so strong because she knows that you would want her to be that way!  We know you are watching over her!  We are very proud of you and proud of your service and sacrifice to this great nation!  Know that we all love you and miss you terribly!!!!!  See ya soon! 
Love ya 
Mom Close

Thoughts ...  / Sarah (Allen) Herrick (Old acquaintance )
Hi, Paul.  You may not remember me as its been years since I left Coshocton ... ten years, to be exact.  So much has changed since then!  I don't keep in touch with anyone anymore so I was sad to just recently hear about your death in Iraq.  Kacey and I were close friends at one point and I can only imagine how hard this has been on her.  You and she are in my thoughts, as are your family and friends.  Thank you for all you did serving our country.  You will not be forgotten.  Sarah (Allen) Herrick Close

Three years today.....  / Kacey Mardis (wife)
Paul it is hard to believe that it has been three years since you left us. We all just got back from a family trip to see John & Renee. You would have loved it. The kids were so much fun & we all had a good time. They are all growing up so quickly. You would not believe how much Michael resembles you. He looks like you, walks like you and somewhat acts like you (Sherri is not is thrilled about that) I wish that you were here to share all of this with me. I know that you are in a better place and are waiting for us to join you. I think about you everyday and miss you. Somedays are worse than others but I am getting by. I look forward to the day that I will see you again.. Love You..... Close