Richard Paris

           Richard Paris served fours “active” in the Navy and two years “inactive”. This means that when he was active he was hands on combat and inactive is where he is in the navy but he is not in any active duty. He was on an aircraft carrier for 6 months. Before he went into the Navy, he had to go to boot camp for 12 weeks of training. Every day he had to wake up at 6 in the morning and trained at boot camp. He trained all day until 10 P.M! Mr. Paris was with the flight team, he repaired the jets and helicopters that needed fixing.  The boat Mr. Paris was on chased down a submarine. At the time the US was in the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis. His life before the Navy was high school, where he play football, ran cross country and played basketball. Right after high school, he was 17 years old. His cousin convinced him to join the Navy with him.

            Mr. Paris said that, “If I could go back and join the Navy I would join tomorrow.” Also, many times Mr. Paris said that “the Navy made a man out of me.” Mr. Paris’s life was silly and all fun and games. He said that “I thought I knew it all back when I was in high school.” But in the Navy Mr. Paris was very respectful to the captain and his companions around him. Mr. Paris was very wise while on board of their ship they had to sleep on the back landing spot on the boat. Mr. Paris would bring flip flops with him because the landing jets would sometimes blow out the light bulbs on the deck and there would be tons of broken glass on the ground. Mr. Paris was not just wise but he was also very tough! The waves they had been encountered with were very severe! Water would get onto the ship and move around on the ship.

            Mr. Paris did not join the navy for the free collage or any benefits. He joined because he wanted to change and become the man he is. He had a big part in the Navy and he did his job well done! Mr. Paris may not have had and battle wounds but he is a hero!