One out of every seven Central Oregonians is a veteran. In our weekly War Stories series, we tell the stories of Central Oregon war veterans, some who made it back from their war and some who didn’t.
This week, War Stories producer Warren Shultz introduces us to the story 90-year-old WWII Veteran Paul Kirk.
Paul ran away from his home in Mississippi at 14, joined the Merchant Marines at 15 before joining the Navy.
Paul moved to Bend in the early 2000s, where he met his now wife Gail. Paul had a love for music and the two met when he was playing guitar at the senior center. Paul and Gail married in 2005 at the senior center where they met.
Unfortunately Paul has since suffered a stroke, so speaking is difficult, but his wife Gail helps tell his story.
Thanks to Paul for sharing his story and a special thanks to Gary Gruner Chevrolet Buick GMC for sponsoring War Stories and giving us the time and resources to tell the stories of Central Oregon’s war veterans every Monday night on Central Oregon Daily.
