Paul J. Darga Obituary

Not a holiday goes by that I dont think of you my friend. I was blessed to have known you

Still remember

I'm sending my condolences to the Daria family, sorry for your loss. Please find comfort in Gods word. Micah 4:3,4

Thank you for being a great team mate. Miss you Brother!

Paul,
I was so blessed to have you as a partner and best friend for 12 years. Thank you for the many things you taught me over the years and thank you for our sweet daughter.
Lord, thank You for blessing me with a wonderful man-twice now. Thank You for carrying me through Paul's death and thank You for showing me Your unlimited love and grace. I'd be lost without You, Jesus.

To the family and friends of Chief Petty Officer Paul J. Darga:
Always remembering Paul. "Some gave all."

We won't forget Paul.

To the family and friends of CPO Paul Darga I offer my sorrow and sympathy for your loss. I am grateful for his military service.

Miss you P-Ditty! See you on the other side Bro!

-CritDawgReed

I'm glad to have had the opportunity to be your friend. You won't be forgotten.

Paul,

I chose you as my HERO and Mentor who gave ultimate sacrifice post 9-11 during Induction Season for Chief this year. I wish I had a fifth of your patience and humility. We are making an EOD Wall of Heroes here at NDSTC to show these future warriors who they should strive to be like.
When I was in Afghanistan the Brits would call me "Deeks" and whenever I would hear it I would think of you and the tent on KNB.

Deak

Miss you buddy.

To the family and friends of Chief Petty Officer Paul J. Darga:
Please accept my remembrance of Paul on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

Paul,

I served with you for a brief time in Guam and in Port Hueneme you were a very energetic and capable Seabee just starting your dream to become EOD. You made the ultimate sacrifice for your country, and for that I wanted to thank you. May god bless you and your family.

This 2011 Memorial Day you are remembered Paul. You and your family's sacrifice are ever present in my heart and mind.

To the family and friends of Chief Petty Officer Paul J. Darga:
Remembering Paul on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

love you uncle paul rest in peace

I was the gunner in the truck nearest to Chief Darga when he died. Since then I've graduated from NAVSCOLEOD, and I can only hope to fill a small part of the void that he left through my service. I think of him daily, and I wish the best that is possible for his wife and daughter.

To the family of Chief Petty Officer Paul J. Darga:
Paul gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

To the family of Chief Petty Officer Paul J. Darga, my thoughts and prayers are with your family. We, the Military Affairs Committe of Hampton, Va recogize those we have lost on 9-11 and those we have lost on the war on Terror. We invite family members that have lost loved ones to a observance we hold every 9-11 in Hampton, Va. We have read your son's name during our ceremony since 2007. If you are ever interested in attending our observance, you are always welcome.
My name is Peggy Mertz, you can reach me at [email protected]

Paul,
I'm glad to have had the opportunity to be your friend. You won't be forgotten.

We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,450 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com. If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Kenna

Dear Karie and her daugter,
I recently purchaced a Iraq-KIA memorial bracelet. Your late husband's name was picked at random to be engraved on it. I, along with my other brothers and sisters in arms, will never forget Paul's dedication. Although I have never had the pleasure of meeting your late husband, I can look down at my wrist every day and know that he was a great man.
1LT Leger, Paul
Executive Officer
C Co. 3-156th IN Louisiana Army National Guard

Please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of your loved one. May God bless each family member and friend with peace and comfort. May you feel held in the prayers of a grateful nation

In loving memory of our nephew
US Army Spec Philip "Cody" Ford
C Co 3rd/509th Fort Richardson Ak.
KIA Baghdad Iraq 12/10/2006

USN/AMEC Ron Baker & Kimberly Henderson Baker
United States Navy

Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers....
Especially YOU dearest little Kailey.


The Wind on The Downs

“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”

(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )

Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….

“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”


I did not know Paul, but I am remembering
his service. He is my hero. !

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Other Side

i'm over on the other side
where life and death softly divide.
left my skin and bones behind
now i'm over on the other side.

can you feel me there with you?
my breath is gone but i'm not through.
loved you then and i still do
from over on the other side.

i can fly. really fly.
below the earth ... all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

it's good here on the other side.
the sweetest songs...the bluest skies.
thank you for the tears you cried
but it's good here on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth...all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side

the world is smaller than a needle's eye.
where life and death softly divide.
when you leave your skin and bones behind
i'll be waiting on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth ... all through the sky.
go tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

Song lyrics by Don Conoscenti
C Desert Muse/SESAC
www.donconoscenti.com
(Used with permission)

“I hope it brings great comfort to any and all.
Peace on you. DonCon” 4-2008


The Other Side –
(To hear the song)
http://tinyurl.com/3o8gol



Sincerely,

Deb Estep ~ Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom SSgt Vince – Lackland AFB
Proud Air Force MIL SrA Dana – Randolph AFB

Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55

Angel and soldier drawing I have shared here.
http://tinyurl.com/6gey8b

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Chief Petty Officer Darga!

God Bless the Darga family for the sacrifice they've made.

There is nothing that I can say or do to take away the pain or bring you peace in your time of sorrow, but I will offer you and your family my heart felt condolences. I also offer you my prayers that in time the pain will easy and the memories of your HERO will carry you through each day and night. I want to thank your HERO, for his/her selfless act of becoming a member of the armed forces, his/her willingness to defend the United States of America, all that we hold sacred and for the sacrifice that will forever be etched in the memories of all those who knew him/her. Though tears can never bring him/her back, we hope that our tears express our gratitude for the sacrifice that he/she made and our sorrow at his/her passing. I believe for every fallen HERO there is a star shining brightly up above to remind us of the precious gift we were given.

Your mission on earth is complete and you are now a member of GOD’s Heavenly armed forces. Stand down brave warrior and take your rightful place in Heaven with all the HEROES who have passed before.

I made a special promise to LE RON A. WILSON, a dear family friend who joined the Army with three other friends, one of whom is my son (Le Ron was killed in action on 07/06/07 at the age of 18) on the day he was laid to rest as I touched his coffin, that I would never forget him nor would I forget those that gave their lives for our country before him, with him and after him and so when I came across www.legacy.com, I thought what a great way to keep my promise to Le Ron, so I will continue to leave tributes in each guest book until the day there is no longer the need to leave these tributes to a FALLEN HERO.

REST IN PEACE, HERO, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!

PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Currently stationed in Germany
Althea Barrett(Queens, NY)

It saddens me to hear of the news of Paul's death. He and the men he led are heroes.

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Chief Petty Officer Darga and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!

Please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of your loved one. We will keep your family in our prayers that, over time God will sooth the pain of such a great loss to you.
Donny & P.A. Oliver (USN-EOD/Ret)

Dear Karie and Kailey,
I was deeply moved to read the eulogy that you gave at CPO Paul Darga's service. Thank you for sharing the love that you and Paul had for each other with those of us that read the guestbook. Paul will always live on in your memories. Know this, that many of us in this country mourn the loss of our heros lives. On June 16 2007 Paul's name will be dedicated to the Middle East Conflicts Wall in Marseilles IL. We invite you to attend if you can. If there is anything we can do for you let us know. I pray that God will guide you and Kailey as she grows up.

I have been coming to the Hillman-Alpena, Michigan area since I was an infant. We still come up one week a year to fish at Fletcher's Floodwaters. We are even considering moving to this area. It is with great sorrow that I came upon Paul Darga's name on a list of Michigan's casualties for Iraq. He is a hero in the highest traditions of the United States Navy. He was a professional in every sense of the word. As a volunteer in a dangerous profession he has set high standards for every sailor who comes after him. We know what you are going through. On January 22, 2007 we lost our son-in-law Spec. Nicholas P. Brown in Iraq. He was in 2/7 Cav of the 1st Cavalry Division. He loved being a soldier and loved learning from the professionals that were over him. He left behind a young wife and a newborn son. Without such heroes as these there would have never been a United States. We pray for you and cry with you. Please accept all our sympathies and prayers for you and your family.
Thank you,

Love Lives On

Those we love remain with us
for love itself lives on,
and cherished memories never fade
because a loved one's gone.
Those we love can never be
more than a thought apart,
far as long as there is memory,
they'll live on in the heart.

The Landstuhl Hospital Care Project has honored Chief Darga with a shipment of care items to wounded troops in US Military Hospitals stateside and overseas.
________________________

The following is the eulogy I gave for Paul's funeral in Alpena, MI on September 7th. God is constantly comforting me in many ways, including the kind words I've read on this web page. Thank you all for your support and prayers. Know that the Holy Spirit is holding my heart and getting me through each day. I know that the Lord still has work for me to do before he calls me to once again stand beside Paul, and I will happily accept the only job He's given me so far; to raise Kailey in His Word and knowing His Love.





Paul was born in Spain as an unexpected blessing to his family. He was born into the military life, and spent his first 8 years as an Army brat.



His family moved back home to Alpena where they were welcomed by the extensive family in the area. He barely graduated from Alpena High due to his lack of concern for attending classes. He showed his great sense of humor from a young age by pestering cousins, nieces, and nephews.



Paul started showing his appreciation for hard work by taking on a paper route at an early age. He joined Civil Air Patrol and began developing his love for serving others.



While in high school, Dick Smigelski of Dick’s Arcade took Paul under his wing and taught Paul a love for construction and woodworking.



Shane Gries introduced Paul and me while I was a sophomore in high school. Within weeks, we became best of friends. He was my shoulder to cry on and the one person with whom I could always be myself.



Paul enlisted in the Navy and started his service in May of 1992 as a seabee. He chose a career where he could learn a marketable trade and pursue his love for construction. The Navy quickly became his second family.



Paul and I began dating New Year’s Day of 1993 and began talking about marriage that day. He came home to Alpena before deploying to Diego Garcia in June of 93 and asked me to marry him. Upon his return from 7 months on that tiny island, I packed up everything I owned and headed for the strange world of California where we were married on September 4th of 1994.



We circled the country twice while Paul tried to decide what he wanted to be when he grew up, although he was determined not to. He went from a steelworker in the Seabees to an underwater welder. While serving a shore duty rotation in Washington state, Paul came home one day and said one of the guys made the craziest suggestion to him while diving; he should join the EOD community. As he explained that EOD meant working with bombs and saving others, he expected me to tell him “no way” and that would have been the end of his Navy career. Instead, we had a long discussion and decided it was a true calling for him to help save lives and protect our freedom. Three months later, we headed to EOD school in Florida.



Throughout our twelve years of marriage, Paul and I did pretty much everything together. We fixed up the places we lived, worked on vehicles, and raised our dogs together. We loved taking long hikes and even developed a love for the long road trips home to Michigan, as they were chances for us to talk extensively. Red Wings games were an event at our house, and I was assigned the duty of taping them for him while he was deployed.



Family always came first to both of us, and our world began to change the moment we found out I was pregnant in 2003. Paul’s heart began to melt that day, and by the time Kailey Rose was born on April 7th, he was wrapped around her little finger. Leaving Kailey when she was four months old for a deployment to Baghdad was the hardest thing he ever had to do, but we both knew his job was important and vowed to make up for the lost time in every way possible.



Paul brought home many mementos from his travels, and he always found something with a rose on it for Kailey, whose middle name was given in honor of his Grandma, Rose Darga.



Earlier this year, we found out Paul’s Mom was terminally ill, and his command arranged so he could fly back from the Middle East to spend three weeks helping care for her. He treasured that time, and had many long personal talks with her. He was so grateful for the opportunity to take his time and say goodbye in person.



Paul deployed four times to the Middle East, and his last time at home was only for two months. Our love deepened greatly over the years, and our last months together were the best ever. We spoke twice in the days before his passing, and I will always treasure that our last words were those of love.



Paul’s job was a true calling. He loved what he did and believed in the purpose of every mission. He served his country and family until the end and we are all safer today for his sacrifice.



The Navy was Paul’s second family, and they have truly stepped-up as a second family to Kailey and me. I know that many are concerned for me and my family, but please know that God pulled me closer to Him than ever over the past few months and He is carrying me through this difficult time.



Paul’s mother left her hope chest to Kailey before she passed away, and I plan to fill it with mementos of Paul. I am asking each of you who knew Paul to write Kailey a letter about her Daddy and who he was to you so she can know him from those who loved him in addition to what I can tell her.



Please remember Paul as a father, husband, son, brother, friend, soldier, and HERO.

Honorable Chief Darga;



I never had the blessing to meet you my Brother...sigh...my heart is sad for the loss your family has suffered. Your heart can have comfort in the FACT that your Navy Family will not forget the sacrifice you made for our freedom. I pray that I do get to shake your hand one day when we meet in heaven :) You are an inspiration and My HERO... Very Respectfully,



MAC(sw)(sel) Somma



Blessed are the Peacekeepers, for they shall be called the Sons of GOD... MATT. 5:9

I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the Darga family.

Karie,

I'm deeply sorry about your loss. I just heard the news today. Please know that I am here for you anytime you might need to talk. You're in my prayers.

Karie,

I don't know if you remember me, but I was in your husband's dive class back at PCB. I remember those days and Paul like it was yesterday. He never said anything harsh or mean to anyone and was someone you could always count on. Please know that I have you and your family in my prayers.

Respectfully,

LNC(SW)Michael L. Stephens

My heartfelt sympathy to the Darga family in the loss of Paul. I did not know Paul, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. Paul you are my hero and you will NEVER be forgotten.

I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.

Love and Peace

Tom



To live in the hearts

of those you leave behind

is never to die"

~Robert Orr~

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS. PLEASE ACCEPT MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES FOR YOUR GREAT LOSS. KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE WHO DO CARE AND YOUR HERO WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR TREASURED MEMORIES THAT HIS SPECIAL SMILE MAY CONTINUE TO SHINE ON FOR YOU LITTLE ONE. I PRAY THAT PEACE WILL FIND YOU ALL SOMEDAY. STAY STRONG AND GODSPEED. SEMPER FI



A PROUD MARINE MOM

Karie,

I was saddened to see that you had lost Paul, we go back to CBU-418 days in Bangor. He will be missed and well remembered for all the hard work and total dedication to the service and Seabee's. Steve & Marci

With my deepest sympathy, Paul and I served together in Air Det Alfa at Underwater Construction Team ONE. Paul touched our hearts as a brother Diver and a gifted technician. After Paul Left the UCT program we had the pleasure of once again serving in Kuwait and Iraq in 2003. I as all of his brothers from Air Det Alfa and the Underwater Construction Teams will sadly miss him. We all pray that Gods blessing finds you.



V/R Scott T. Overton CWO3, CEC, USN

With my deepest sympathy, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. As a soldier myself I know that Paul was a brave and selfless person defending the freedoms so many others enjoy. God bless your son and all who serve in this war.

Please accept our sympathy for your loss, and our prayers that God provide you peace and comfort. Paul will live on in the hearts of many American families, who recognize his honor and courage and who will be here to support your family with prayer. God Bless.

Military Family,

To the Family of Chief Petty Officer Paul J. Darga:

My heart breaks again as I sign yet another guest book of another courgeous young soldier who gave their life so selflessly. I wish I never found myself in a position to have to sign another guestbook for the rest of my life. We lost a son 12/1/05 and it seems like yesterday.

I know first hand there are no words right now that will bring you the comfort and peace you need. Just know that you are not alone. My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with you all as you mourn this loss. We don't know each other, will probably never meet, but will forever be united in the loss of our Heroes. We have, unfortunately joined a group none of us wanted to join, an ever-growing group of families in this situation. May God grant you peace and strength to get through this and be able once again to smile at a memory rather than have only the tears that flow so easily now. To be so proud of your loved one and so saddened at the same time is a mix of emotions very difficult to deal with. I am sorry that I never knew your soldier personally, but none of these courageous men and women will be forgotten. They will never be able to be replaced, but sometime, someday your loving memories will help to sustain you. This courageous soldier will forever now be your Angel watching over you all for the rest of your lives. It's what brings me some measure of peace and comfort and I hope it will you as well. To his family and friends in pain, I offer this comfort: When you find yourself in that dark sorrowful place, think not only of how you will miss him, but instead recall the years, days, hours and minutes gifted to you by his presence. The one thing that cannot be taken from you is those wonderful memories that now will mean more than ever. If you ever want to talk, I'm only an e:mail away and would love for you to tell me more about your Hero. God Bless this courageous soldier and family.

Pam Adams (SFC Brent Adams, KIA 12/1/05 Ramadi, Iraq)

[email protected]

(Millersville, PA )

To the family of Paul Darga,



I knew Paul when he was a teenager and am proud to have known him at all. He was a great kid who turned out to be an even greater man. My greatest sympathies for you all. He represented what this country means to so many of us.

My heart felt sympathies go out to the Darga family. There is nothing, save for the grace of GOD, that can ease the loss of such a valued father, husband, son and fellow EOD Tecnician. The prayers of myself and family are with you.

God Bless the family of this brave soldier I pray He will comfort your heart in this time of sorrow.

Proud Family of

(MSGT.Anthony Yost, KIA, Mosul 11/19/05)

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

I do not know when you will be able to read all these wonderful heartfelt message,but I can not say it any better. As a civilian we look for ways to say thank you to the service men and women who fight for freedom here and abroad. I can not thank this special man but I leave the thanks to his family. May the Lord keep you in the cleft of His hand. May He flood you with wonderful memories.

I simply do not know where to begin, other than, as a EOD widow myself, I know the pain you are in, the long road ahead of you...many many days of disbelief, but, if you ever need to talk, or if I can give you any advice, I'd be happy to do so. You and your daughter are in my thoughts and prayers. My heart aches for you...no words can ever sound like the right thing that needs to be said, so I will leave it at that. God Bless you....

To Karie and her daughter. I am deeply sadden by the loss of Paul. He will never be forgotten. You always have a friend here. Paul had a heart of gold and a smile alwasys on his face. Remember the good times. Take care of youself and your daughter. Norma (Reynolds) LaFave

your in our prayers.

To Pauls wife Karie,Daughter Kailee and the entire Darga and Panknin families, we are so sorry for your loss. We will always have a shoulder for you when you need it. Paul was a great man, husband and father and he will never be forgotten.

In Honor of Cheif Petty Officer Darga~





Although words connot begin to erase the sorrow of your loss, please know that your are in the prayers of so many who care.





May the Lord confort you with his peace, surround you in his love and encourage you with his presence.





Your loved one gave the ultimate sacrifice in serving our great country. May he always be remembered and honored for the courage and commitment to fight for "Freedom."





"Greater Love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."





In memory of a true hero!





God Bless You, Keep the Faith;


Toni

Rest in peace at your very last post in paradise.

We are saddened and mourn the death of Chief Petty Officer Paul J. Darga. He sacrificed his life to protect American freedoms, and for that, we will be eternally grateful. May the scripture from Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." minister to your burdened hearts as it has for us since our loss of SSGT Michael C. Lloyd (08-12-06). Please know we will keep your family in our prayers. God Bless!

To the family of Chief Petty Officer Paul J. Draga,









As a Navy Mom and Aunt of CPL Nyle Yates K.I.A. March 16, 2006 I know to well the disbelief and pain your going through. My heart goes out to you. You will be in my prayers. If you need anything,please know I'm here for you. God Bless you and all who knew and loved Paul.

I am Deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Chief Petty Officer Paul J. Darga.

The price this young hero and his family have paid for this country and our freedom, WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

May he rest safely in the Loving Care of God and may God's Comfort and Grace be with the Darga family.

There will never be enough ways to humbly thank these heroes for their Supreme Sacrifice, my brother among them. KIA~Vietnam, 1967.



"Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13



With each new day, may the Lord restore your soul and, through His love, give you the strength to go on.