THE WALL OF FACES

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

Dear Cpl Paul Madden, Thank you for your service as a Machine Gunner. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Memorial Day just passed, and it is important to remember you. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

I,.too, remember the Yellow Building, where Paul and the rest of the neighborhood boys would play ball, etc. Their brother, Tom, was the gentleman, always holding the game up as I passed by their "street games" on my way to the store for Mom.

Paul was at our house a lot, friends with my brother. We were classmates at Our Lady of the Lake, and we would argue a bit, like brother and sister as we grew, but I will always hold the image of that young boy, just about to reach for his manhood, signing up for the Marines.

You were so young. You gave the ultimate sacrifice for our United States. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We miss you and wonder what the future would have held for you.......

You left behind warm memories, Paul; a good son, a good brother, a good friend, a good Catholic; a fine man. I never pass that Yellow Building without thinking about you. Pray for us.

Paul,
The "Yellow House" was the focal point of many hours of our growing up
In the late 40's and 50's. I have wonderful memories of stick ball,touch football,
baseball, basketball, hide and seek, just to name a few. Serving mass at Immaculate Conception was also another fond memory.
May your soul rest in peace with your Father and Mother in Heaven.
One of the "Nestor Street Boys!"
CDR Mike "Zeke" Zidek USN Ret

Semper Fi, Corporal.