Memorial card from Charles Paradise funeral service
courtesy of Margaret Paradise |
A Prayer to Michael the Archangel Patron Saint of the
Airborne Angelic Michael, hear my call!
As through the sky I now will fall.
Satan you once cast from here.
Aid me now to conquer fear!!
My static line have hooked to hold
And then my chute to make unfold.
Suspension lines untangled be
And open up my canopy. From other junipers float me clear
As safely down 1 persevere.
On angel wings I hit the ground.
My Father's favor I have found.
In thanks, Saint Michael, 1 do pray
For God has helped me- all the way.
Amen
Almighty God and Father, it is Your air that fills my canopy and it is
Your ground
upon which I stand and so for me THE SPIRIT OF THE AIRBORNE means that
all is best in the military tradition. It
means trust in You. pride in my uniform
and an enduring love of my Country.
Amen |
Charles
Paradise enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 20, 1942 in
Hartford, CT.
After completion of basic training he volunteered for
parachutist duty and was assigned to the 508th Parachute Infantry
Regiment. He became a member of the communications platoon with
the Regimental Headquarters Company.
Charles had an interesting confrontation with colonel
Lindquist while the regiment was in Camp Cromore, Ireland.
Lindquist had confronted Paradise anb8ut the dirty tie he was wearing
and asked why he had it on. Charles responded that he was saving the
clean one for when they got to England. The fact that the regiment
was moving there was a classified Top Secret and Lindquist said, "Do you
know where we are going?" To the Colonel's disbelief paradise
said, "I understand we are going to Nottingham, Sir."
The Colonel walked away shaking his head in disbelief
and completely forgot about Charles' soiled neckwear |
