Page 42 - Life In Naples Magazine December 2014 Edition
P. 42
THE
WINNERS
CIRCLE
naples style
by Sandra Lee Buxton
L ieutenant Colonel Paul Garrah (Ret) is a step up “ Lieutenant Colonel
and stand out type of man. As much as we honor
him for his service to our Country, his service didn’t
end with retirement, he just changed the focus. Paul served
on active duty for 22 years as an enlisted soldier, a non- Garrah has been awarded
the Legion of Merit, the
commissioned office and after graduation from Officer
Candidate School – a commissioned officer. He had a colorful Defense Meritorious Service
and exciting career Medal, multiple Army
which included the
Pentagon (Joint Chiefs Commendation Medals and
of Staff), Panama,
Korea and Germany. Meritorious Service Medals.
He also participated ”
in the NATO
peace enforcementhis students for success in whatever path they choose is his
operations is Bosnia. focus. Paul and his wife Beverly did not have children of
His primary military their own but “adopted” the more than 1,500 students who
career duties were
he has taught and mentored.
in the Tactical His list of civic involvement is impressive and includes:
Telecommunications selected as Teacher of Distinction by The Education
and Latin American Foundation of Collier County, the first JROTC instructor
Foreign Area Officer selected as the Citizenship Education Teacher of the year
Fields. While at the for the State of Florida (grades 9-12) by the Veterans of
Pentagon, Lieutenant Foreign Wars, Recognized by the Leadership Collier
Colonel Garrah served as a Central and South American Foundation as the first person to be presented the James
Intelligence Analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency. V. Mudd award for leadership and contributions to our
In San Antonio he served as the Fifth U.S. Army Liaison community, a graduate of GNL, recognized by Naples
Officer to Mexico. Lieutenant Colonel Garrah has been North Rotary as a Paul Harris Fellow for Community
awarded the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Involvement and Service Above Self, honored by the
Service Medal, multiple Army Commendation Medals and Education Foundation as a Man of Distinction, selected
Meritorious Service Medals. Paul has a bachelor’s degree in by the Collier Bar Association as a Medal of Honor
business administration and a master’s in administration. recipient for contributions to the community and career
Originally from Maryland, Paul has been in Naples since professionalism.
2004 and is in his eleventh year as an educator in the Collier Paul believes that it is not what you make and take
County school system. Paul began with a nine year stint with in life that matters but what you give and share. Thank
the JROTC in Golden Gate High School and now has been you for your service to America and for your continued
with Naples High in the same capacity for the last two years. contribution to Collier County. Paul defines the true
Lieutenant Colonel Garrah believes that cultivating close definition of Leadership, A true Winner Naples Style.
ties with the community is one of the keys to success in the Stay tuned for Part 2 to learn more about Paul and the
classroom. He is also quick to point out that grooming JROTC.
42 Life in Naples | December 2014
WINNERS
CIRCLE
naples style
by Sandra Lee Buxton
L ieutenant Colonel Paul Garrah (Ret) is a step up “ Lieutenant Colonel
and stand out type of man. As much as we honor
him for his service to our Country, his service didn’t
end with retirement, he just changed the focus. Paul served
on active duty for 22 years as an enlisted soldier, a non- Garrah has been awarded
the Legion of Merit, the
commissioned office and after graduation from Officer
Candidate School – a commissioned officer. He had a colorful Defense Meritorious Service
and exciting career Medal, multiple Army
which included the
Pentagon (Joint Chiefs Commendation Medals and
of Staff), Panama,
Korea and Germany. Meritorious Service Medals.
He also participated ”
in the NATO
peace enforcementhis students for success in whatever path they choose is his
operations is Bosnia. focus. Paul and his wife Beverly did not have children of
His primary military their own but “adopted” the more than 1,500 students who
career duties were
he has taught and mentored.
in the Tactical His list of civic involvement is impressive and includes:
Telecommunications selected as Teacher of Distinction by The Education
and Latin American Foundation of Collier County, the first JROTC instructor
Foreign Area Officer selected as the Citizenship Education Teacher of the year
Fields. While at the for the State of Florida (grades 9-12) by the Veterans of
Pentagon, Lieutenant Foreign Wars, Recognized by the Leadership Collier
Colonel Garrah served as a Central and South American Foundation as the first person to be presented the James
Intelligence Analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency. V. Mudd award for leadership and contributions to our
In San Antonio he served as the Fifth U.S. Army Liaison community, a graduate of GNL, recognized by Naples
Officer to Mexico. Lieutenant Colonel Garrah has been North Rotary as a Paul Harris Fellow for Community
awarded the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Involvement and Service Above Self, honored by the
Service Medal, multiple Army Commendation Medals and Education Foundation as a Man of Distinction, selected
Meritorious Service Medals. Paul has a bachelor’s degree in by the Collier Bar Association as a Medal of Honor
business administration and a master’s in administration. recipient for contributions to the community and career
Originally from Maryland, Paul has been in Naples since professionalism.
2004 and is in his eleventh year as an educator in the Collier Paul believes that it is not what you make and take
County school system. Paul began with a nine year stint with in life that matters but what you give and share. Thank
the JROTC in Golden Gate High School and now has been you for your service to America and for your continued
with Naples High in the same capacity for the last two years. contribution to Collier County. Paul defines the true
Lieutenant Colonel Garrah believes that cultivating close definition of Leadership, A true Winner Naples Style.
ties with the community is one of the keys to success in the Stay tuned for Part 2 to learn more about Paul and the
classroom. He is also quick to point out that grooming JROTC.
42 Life in Naples | December 2014
