R.I.P Streetmasters Instructor Paul Palika

[hercbr]

Originally Posted by hercbr

Well, the court date was continued AGAIN, but it looks like it will be tomorrow, May 11 at 9:30 am in San Diego.

Walt and I are still planning on being there.

Nancy

The saga continues.... It has been continued to a date in June. More later....

[Whiteknuckler]

Originally Posted by hercbr

The saga continues.... It has been continued to a date in June. More later....

Some speedy justice

[Turkus]

Just got this FB post (via e-mail) from Liz Palika:



Hi Bruce,
Liz tagged you in a post.

Liz wrote: "Well, it's all done. The court case against the driver who caused the accident that killed my husband, is finished. Finally.

To our friends, Walt Fulton, Bruce Laidlaw, Gina Spadafori and others - I was going to try and let you all know when it was going to happen, but the court moved the date up with little notice.

The judge accepted our recommendations of probation, driver's education, major community service, and so on, but the judge also added a fine and restitution.

My sister Mary Stout Clipper gave the victim's impact statement for the family and our good friend Lauren Michele Seals gave one for his friends and the community. Lauren showed the court and the young man, Thomas de la Cruz, that Paul was a real man who meant something to the world around him. The judge, the defense attorney, and people in the courtroom were visibly moved.

So, Paul will be with us always and will never be forgotten. But this is done, thankfully, and that door can be closed. Rest in peace, Paul."











While I take a moment to let this all sink in, I want to thank all that have posted their words of sympathy, condolances, and support since Day 1 - from Paul and Liz' families; Walt, Nancy, the entire Streetmasters family, and myself.

R.I.P. Gunny - you are not forgotten

[viffergyrl]

For those of us who have elected to stay off of Facebook would you be able to post Mary's and Lauren's remarks to the court? I would love to read those.

Thanks!

I am thinking that we got what was needed from this outcome - a legacy of sorts for Paul. This case serves as a reminder to not confuse justice with revenge. While we are angry and sad that Paul was removed from this life against his will, we all know that bad things happen because of a collusion of circumstances. This does not excuse the driver's negligence at all but he has been held responsible for his actions.

Grace in this life. Or living at a higher level.

[hercbr]

Originally Posted by viffergyrl

I am thinking that we got what was needed from this outcome - a legacy of sorts for Paul. This case serves as a reminder to not confuse justice with revenge. While we are angry and sad that Paul was removed from this life against his will, we all know that bad things happen because of a collusion of circumstances. This does not excuse the driver's negligence at all but he has been held responsible for his actions.

Grace in this life. Or living at a higher level.

Very well said Kris. Thank you.

[Turkus]

Originally Posted by viffergyrl

For those of us who have elected to stay off of Facebook would you be able to post Mary's and Lauren's remarks to the court? I would love to read those.

Here is the e-mail that I graciously received from Lauren and her accompanying Victim Impact Statement:



Dear Bruce,
Attached, please find a copy of the Victim Impact Statement I gave this morning. I thought that the judge would “half-listen” and be rummaging through papers. But the courtroom silenced as Mary and I spoke, and we were heard - - really heard. I locked eyes with the judge and she really “got it.” This was not an ordinary man that was taken from us. This was a treasure of a man.

Thanks,
Lauren




THE VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PAUL ALLEN PALIKA
Delivered July 17, 2012

FRIENDS PORTION
Thanks to the Court
Good morning, Your Honor. My name is Lauren-Michele Seals, and I would like to thank the court for allowing the friends and family of Paul Palika to share our thoughts and feelings about Paul with you.

We, the friends of Paul, and Mrs. Palika, still find it difficult to believe that he is gone. We grieve not only for Paul, but our hearts continue to ache for Mrs. Palika. She has been very strong, but in her quiet moments - - in those moments when she had to dispose of Paul’s belongings, when she had to sell his cars and watch someone else drive them away, when she had to make changes her home - - to try to live in it more easily without Paul by her side - - those are the types of things that continue to make our hearts ache for Mrs. Palika.

But perhaps the biggest hurdle we have tried to overcome is the fateful morning of Paul’s death. It was Mrs. Palika who - - after kissing her husband good-bye - - turned on the morning news to learn there had been a fatal accident. As she looked closer at the TV screen, she instantly recognized Paul’s motorcycle - - and knew………she knew her husband of 37 years was dead.

Mrs. Palika watched her husband’s body, on TV, lying on the freeway, in the rain, for hours. She waited for the inevitable phone call - - because she already knew the inevitable outcome. Finally….. the bureaucratic wheels of death began to turn, and she was officially notified. But none of us can imagine her hours spent, trapped in that living nightmare.

PROFESSIONAL/VOLUNTEER/MINISTERIAL CAREER
A few words about Paul’s history, Your Honor. Simply put - - he did not have the easiest of childhoods, and from his pain - - was born a life of limitless compassion and endless generosity. He not only maintained strong relationships with his beloved wife and much-loved family - - but with his friends as well. We all feel the loss of one very, VERY good man.

As a person looking at Paul’s life from the outside - - one wondered how he found the time to engage in so many activities.

As for Paul’s accomplishments, I will read just a few of them:
1. Paul was given the gift of voice and had been trained musically.
2. He had earned a degree in computer technology.
3. He had been in the United States Marines Corps for twenty years, and retired as a Gunnery Sergeant.
4. He was a Vietnam Veteran.
5. He was a recipient of The Purple Heart, and numerous other awards while serving in the Marines.
6. He worked for the United States Navy as a civilian Safety Specialist for The Navy SEALs when he lost his life.
7. He was a Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor, and he taught Motorcycle Safety classes at Palomar College.
8. His passions in life were motorcycles and safety. In Paul’s mind, you just did not have one without the other.
9. Paul was an ordained Minister.
10. He was also an American Red Cross First Aid Instructor.
11. He was a handler for Search and Rescue Dogs.
12. He was Service Dog owner; and Therapy Dog owner,
13. And he volunteered many hours with his Service Dog, Archer, to help wounded veterans.



FUTURE LOSSES
Our collective futures will be far less bright.
1. The Navy SEALs will have one less officer to keep them safe.
2. Motorcycle students will not have the advantage of Paul’s experience, his dedication to safety and his passion to teach.
3. Brides and Grooms will not have him be that “special person” to pronounce them Husband and Wife, as they take their very first steps in life together.
4. The departed, will not have Paul to insure their funerals and memorials will be conducted with the honor and dignity they richly deserve.

The list of future losses will be far lengthier than what I mention today, but possibly one of the most glaring losses, will be that of Paul and Archer’s assistance to the Wounded Veteran.

Upon Paul’s death, the grief of Paul’s dog, Archer, was beyond description. Archer was in a panic every day because Paul was not coming home. He began to get worse as time went by. It became apparent that Archer was a “man’s dog.” As hard as it was, Mrs. Palika realized that Archer needed a man in his life.

Thankfully, Mrs. Palika’s cousin Jennifer, and her husband Dean, offered to take Archer - - even though this meant another huge loss for Mrs. Palika.

Since then, Archer has bonded to Dean, and has become a well-loved member of their family- - in Arizona.

But, because Paul is no longer here to take Archer to visit the Wounded Warriors in our San Diego community, it is indeed, an enormous loss, for those warriors who have sacrificed so much.

CLOSING
I have tried to keep my comments brief today, Your Honor, and it has not been easy to do. Paul was a man who was loved by so many. There were 700 attendees at his Memorial, and Mrs. Palika received letters and messages of condolence, which numbered in the thousands.

When I asked Mrs. Palika how Paul would want to be remembered, she replied, “As a good man, a man you could always count upon.” He was that, and so much more. He was a Man among Men, and his legacy will live in the hundreds of people, whom he called, “Friend.”

Your Honor, these are just a few of the threads, that when woven together, formed the fabric of the life of Paul Palika. He will always be loved and greatly missed by all of his friends.

And we want you, Your Honor, and the rest of those present in the courtroom today, to know that all of Paul’s life was so bright and so shining - - that no darkness, or sorrow, or separation, will ever dim the light - - through which - - Paul walked upon life’s road.

Throughout all the days of OUR years, Paul Palika will be remembered with love, tenderness and joy - - and as a shining example of how ONE man, CAN make a difference.

Thank you for your time, Your Honor.




__________________________________________________ _________________________







On a personal note, I know there could have been even more information, and accolades, to our dearly departed friend; but I believe that this statement is just about the most comprehensive and hard-hitting thing I have ever read.

I don't know about you but it brought tears to my eyes when I first read, and re-read it.......................and it does again now.



I have experienced several personal tragedies in my time on this earth and I'm always told that "time heals all wounds".

I'm not so sure about that this time...........




God Speed Gy. Sgt. Paul A Palika - USMC (ret)

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by Turkus

I don't know about you but it brought tears to my eyes when I first read, and re-read it.......................and it does again now.

I have experienced several personal tragedies in my time on this earth and I'm always told that "time heals all wounds".[/color][/font]

I'm not so sure about that this time...........

Had to close my office door while reading it... such a tragic loss for so many. But I hope that those close to him, will still feel his spirit which lives on in all of you as you carry on in his memory. The wound will become less painful over time but the scar of loss stays with you forever... it becomes etched into the fabric of your life along with the love, laughter, and memories of the man and most of the time, that last part will gradually outweigh the sadness.

Wishing peace in all of your hearts and the gift of Paul's spirit to continue to live on every day.

[hercbr]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Had to close my office door while reading it... such a tragic loss for so many. But I hope that those close to him, will still feel his spirit which lives on in all of you as you carry on in his memory. The wound will become less painful over time but the scar of loss stays with you forever... it becomes etched into the fabric of your life along with the love, laughter, and memories of the man and most of the time, that last part will gradually outweigh the sadness.

Wishing peace in all of your hearts and the gift of Paul's spirit to continue to live on every day.

Thank you Tyler. I can feel your hug, and your words are so true. I can still hear his "Gunney" voice in my head and his see his always present smile on his face.

[viffergyrl]

Bruce - thank you so much - that was very moving - a little emotional myself now.

I think we reached Paul's standards of compassion. From what has been said in this thread and reinforced by Lauren, he would be counting on us to do the right thing.

[demenshea]

Thank you Bruce and Lauren. What a beautiful offering for the court. One that certainly captured all that Paul was to his friends and family and even his dog.

What a loss we have experienced, but one that we will keep close as the days pass remembering the joy he brought to each of us. Hopefully the sadness will ease as the light of his good heart shines. Paul, you will be missed, m'friend.