The hall of heroes has welcomed home a fallen brother. Paul Byrnes (Bear), age 76, of Bingham, Illinois passed away suddenly on January 20th, 2025. Paul was born in Chicago, Illinois to Charles and Anne Marie Byrnes. After graduating from Crete-Monee High School, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served two combat tours in Vietnam, spending 18 months in country from 1967 to 1969 as a part of the 101st Airborne Division. During his service, Paul earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star before being honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant (E-5). After completing his service to the nation, Paul married Audrey Hart in December of 1969, and welcomed their son James in 1970.
Paul started working for the Illinois Central Railroad in 1970, marking the beginning of a career that would see him work for the IC, Santa Fe,

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