Victory of Freedom over Tyranny | An American Bad Ass
This week we lost a great American. This is his UN-official obituary
My friend Paul Shakula, Sr.
Born Aug 8, 1923 in Lake, IN
Died June 4, 2019 in Edmond, OK
His parents were John and Stella Shakula
He was survived by his children
"Senior" was born and grew up in Indiana and didn't have a lot, but never let than determine what he did or who he was. He told a friend of mine that he remembers his whole family sharing an onion for a meal. AN ONION!
Sr. proudly served in the US Army 75th Infantry Division (the Bulge Busters) and is a recipient of the following medals and awards:
He didn’t talk a lot about his time in the Army but after he got to know you, he would share stories about the time he spent in Belgium during the war. He also wasn’t shy about sharing his opinion on matters of war and patriotism and pretty much anything. Some of the memories of the war that he shared with his friends made you understand the impact it had on him and other veterans. He was an American Bad Ass
I remember him talking about watching a movie about WWII with some famous actor (doesn't matter which one) and him saying "those f***ers don't have a clue what it was like". I chuckled to myself and thought they probably wouldn't want to know either. Senior would always say exactly what was on his mind. Kind of rough? Maybe. But we could probably all learn a lesson from that
He told me about waking up one morning in the miserable conditions of that winter and finding a member of his unit frozen to death. He told me the story that after a barrage of German gunfire one night, the next morning he found a bullet lodged in his frozen overcoat. Weather so miserable that it took your friends life, and also saved your own? And we complain if the barista gets our latte wrong!
In 1945, after you were discharged from the service, you were required to serve a brief stint with recruitment for the Army. The recruitment "offices" were scattered around in places like hardware stores or drug stores across the country. Sr. told me that he was sent to some furniture store somewhere and sat at a desk talking to young men (he was probably only 20) about enlisting. Some kid came up and as him what type of service he should consider. Sr. in his no BS style said "ANYTHING BUT INFANTRY". Classic Senior.
He was always willing to help any of us around the neighborhood with anything he could. Even after he was not able to get around that well, he would still look out for his neighbors. Always calling to check on them if he didn’t see a light on or a car in the driveway.
One of the staples of the neighborhood over the last several years, was Paul Sr. sitting in his garage stripping copper wire proudly wearing his “Make America Great Again” cap. One thing you didn't do in mixed company was ask him what he thought about Obama!. Remember, that generation is NOT politically correct and I respect them for that, They earned it.
On a lighter note, he loved food. His whole face lit up when my wife brought him stuffed peppers, chili or a big bowl of beans and cornbread. When he was on his last leg a couple weeks ago, she sent him a big stuffed pepper. I hope he enjoyed it as much as she enjoyed making it for him.
There aren’t very many WWII veterans and Battle of the Bulge survivors left. If you know one, take time to talk to them and document their stories. They are the last of “The Greatest Generation”. They are AMERICAN BAD ASS
 |
| Paul John Shakula, Sr. |
My friend Paul Shakula, Sr.
Born Aug 8, 1923 in Lake, IN
Died June 4, 2019 in Edmond, OK
His parents were John and Stella Shakula
He was survived by his children
- Paul Shakula, Jr. and his wife Kelly of Edmond, OK
- Paulette and her husband James West of Edmond, OK
- Juliette and her husband Charles Kelley of Deer Creek, OK
- Michelle and her husband Marty Hackett of Schererville, IN
"Senior" was born and grew up in Indiana and didn't have a lot, but never let than determine what he did or who he was. He told a friend of mine that he remembers his whole family sharing an onion for a meal. AN ONION!
Sr. proudly served in the US Army 75th Infantry Division (the Bulge Busters) and is a recipient of the following medals and awards:
- Combat Infantryman Badge. Awarded to infantrymen who fought in active ground combat.
- Bronze Star. A decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. It is the fourth highest combat award of the Armed Forces.
- US Army Good Conduct Medal: one of the oldest military awards of the United States Armed Forces. Awarded for Exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal Military service
He didn’t talk a lot about his time in the Army but after he got to know you, he would share stories about the time he spent in Belgium during the war. He also wasn’t shy about sharing his opinion on matters of war and patriotism and pretty much anything. Some of the memories of the war that he shared with his friends made you understand the impact it had on him and other veterans. He was an American Bad Ass
I remember him talking about watching a movie about WWII with some famous actor (doesn't matter which one) and him saying "those f***ers don't have a clue what it was like". I chuckled to myself and thought they probably wouldn't want to know either. Senior would always say exactly what was on his mind. Kind of rough? Maybe. But we could probably all learn a lesson from that
He told me about waking up one morning in the miserable conditions of that winter and finding a member of his unit frozen to death. He told me the story that after a barrage of German gunfire one night, the next morning he found a bullet lodged in his frozen overcoat. Weather so miserable that it took your friends life, and also saved your own? And we complain if the barista gets our latte wrong!
In 1945, after you were discharged from the service, you were required to serve a brief stint with recruitment for the Army. The recruitment "offices" were scattered around in places like hardware stores or drug stores across the country. Sr. told me that he was sent to some furniture store somewhere and sat at a desk talking to young men (he was probably only 20) about enlisting. Some kid came up and as him what type of service he should consider. Sr. in his no BS style said "ANYTHING BUT INFANTRY". Classic Senior.
He was always willing to help any of us around the neighborhood with anything he could. Even after he was not able to get around that well, he would still look out for his neighbors. Always calling to check on them if he didn’t see a light on or a car in the driveway.
One of the staples of the neighborhood over the last several years, was Paul Sr. sitting in his garage stripping copper wire proudly wearing his “Make America Great Again” cap. One thing you didn't do in mixed company was ask him what he thought about Obama!. Remember, that generation is NOT politically correct and I respect them for that, They earned it.
On a lighter note, he loved food. His whole face lit up when my wife brought him stuffed peppers, chili or a big bowl of beans and cornbread. When he was on his last leg a couple weeks ago, she sent him a big stuffed pepper. I hope he enjoyed it as much as she enjoyed making it for him.
There aren’t very many WWII veterans and Battle of the Bulge survivors left. If you know one, take time to talk to them and document their stories. They are the last of “The Greatest Generation”. They are AMERICAN BAD ASS
Comments
Post a Comment