San Diego, California
Staff Sgt. Paul A. Velazquez was about to meet his 4-month-old daughter for the first time. "He was anxious to come home and see his baby and family. They were real important to him," said Velazquez''s father, John D. Velazquez. Velazquez, 29, was one of 16 soldiers killed in the Nov. 2 downing of a helicopter carrying troops home on leave. Velazquez grew up in San Diego and joined the Army in 1992. He recently re-enlisted for four years and was stationed at Fort Sill. The elder Velazquez said his son''s death has changed his views about the war. "Right now they are hunting us down one at a time," he said. "We should get the heck out of there. ... If they want to kill each other, why should we care? They don''t want our help. I didn''t feel this way before. But now it''s different."
Thinking of you this and every Memorial Day, Tony. Remembering fun times at MMHS. Prayers for your family who I know miss you every day. Thank you for your service to our nation.
Lisa Dean
May 26, 2025 | CA | Classmate
Hello,
We realize that we are very late to express our deepest condolences, but we wanted to let your family and friends know that we will be sending Care Packages to deployed troops this week and we'll be dedicating several of these to your loved one. Each package will carry the name, photo and the hometown of Paul A. Velazquez US Army Staff Sergeant. We realize that this is a small tribute, but we do this with all respect and sincerity and we want you to know that it is made possible...
Charlie Gili
February 05, 2018 | Brooklyn, NY | Neighbor
To the family of Paul "Tony" Velazquez I will never forget him. We as American's must never forget the ultimate sacrifice that was given on that day. He was a friend and a comrade. My condolences to his family.
Eric Subia
March 14, 2012 | Tulsa, OK
To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Paul A. Velazquez:
Please accept my remembrance of Paul on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.
Peggy Childers
November 02, 2011 | Carson City, NV
To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Paul A. Velazquez:
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
Peggy Childers
November 02, 2010 | Carson City, NV
”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” 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 the hero’s Mother, Father and/or spouse. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,850 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one...
Kenna Kay
December 22, 2009 | Manti, UT
To the family of Staff Sgt. Paul A. Velazquez:
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
Peggy Childers
November 18, 2008 | Carson City, NV
In Memory of Paul ~ (Debra Estep)
Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.
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...
November 02, 2008
It is difficult to know what to say since I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Staff Sgt Velazquez. Please know that your loved one is not forgotten. I wish everyone impacted by this tragic loss strength and peace. I hope that Staff Sgt Velazquez knew that there are people in America who respect his great courage in serving as a member of the US military. Although I did not know him, I know that he must have been a very special person to be willing to do...
R Collis
July 21, 2008
