ROUND ROCK, TX, US
U.S. Army
SGT, TF PHOENIX (92 MP) 527 MP CO., CJTF-1
10/22/2011, PUL- E-ALAM, AFGHANISTAN
Army Sergeant Paul A. Rivera was killed on October 22, 2011 in Logar province, Afghanistan after his vehicle was attacked. He was twenty-six years old. He was assigned to the 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, based in Hohenfels, Germany.
Sergeant Rivera grew up in Round Rock where he and his best friend played a lot of Micro Machines and video games. Their favorites were first-person shooters, but they also enjoyed sports games. The games they played soon became reality for both of them. Paul Rivera graduated from Stony Point High School on the east side of town. Shortly after his graduation in 2003, he joined the Army, while his best friend joined the Air Force. Both were inspired and motivated to go into the military due to the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks. Paul is remembered as being funny, charismatic, genuine and kind-hearted. Those who knew him also knew that he was a deeply religious young man who prayed continually, went by the book and left everything in God’s hands. He and his best Air Force friend remained connected via Facebook up until about eleven days before Paul died.
Sergeant Rivera’s farewell mass was held at the beautiful St. Mary’s cathedral in downtown Austin, Texas where he served as an altar boy for many years. Paul was a leader of the other boys and an obedient member of the Catholic Church and the cathedral parish. Paul Rivera was known as a humble man of peace with a deep sense of duty to God and country. The Patriot Guard Riders were in attendance saluting him throughout the day and escorting him to rest at Central Texas Veteran’s Cemetery in Killeen.
He is survived by his parents, Fred and Evelyn and his brother, US Army Specialist Phillip Rivera.