Paul Germann

Paul Germann’s journey in the U.S. Air Force is a story of adaptability, growth, and lifelong learning. A journalism major at DePauw University, Paul was in his junior year when his draft notice for the Korean War arrived. To avoid immediate deployment, he struck a deal with the Air Force that allowed him to finish college first. After graduation, Paul reported to Lackland Air Force Base as an Airman Basic, undergoing six weeks of training before being assigned to Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia.

At Moody, Paul’s role as an Information Specialist allowed him to put his journalism degree to good use. He became the editor of the base newspaper, wrote press releases, and handled public relations duties such as notifying the media in case of crashes or accidents. For three years, Paul honed his skills in journalism and public relations, gaining invaluable experience that would serve him well in his post-military career. However, his time at Moody wasn’t without a twist. One day, personnel informed him that he would be sent to a jet engine maintenance school—a job far removed from his journalistic background. Fortunately, a mistake was discovered, and Paul was given a choice between being stationed in Alaska or Germany. Given his German heritage, he chose to spend his final year of service in Germany.

In Germany, Paul worked closely with the recruiting department at headquarters, where he became friends with many of the staff. They offered him the opportunity to re-enlist and join the Stars and Stripes, the official newspaper of the U.S. Armed Forces, but Paul declined. He was eager to move on with his civilian career, and after four years in the Air Force, he returned to the United States.

Upon returning home, Paul began his civilian career in public relations. His first job was with Continental Casualty Company in Chicago, where he edited the sales magazine for two years. His next opportunity came with Encyclopedia Britannica, where he worked as the editor of corporate publications. Paul stayed with Britannica for 11 years, building a solid reputation in the publishing industry.

However, life took an unexpected turn when Paul’s father called him with a proposition: move to Clearwater Beach, Florida, and help start an antique shop. Paul initially hesitated, unsure if he could afford to leave his career in Chicago. But his father had already purchased a house in Clearwater and was eager to have his son join him. Paul took a leave of absence from Britannica and moved to Florida, where he quickly realized that owning a home was more expensive than he had anticipated. To make ends meet, Paul took a job at the St. Petersburg Times. However, the long commute between Clearwater and St. Petersburg proved to be too taxing, and Paul decided to leave the newspaper job behind.

Paul and his father eventually opened the antique shop, which became a family business. His father played golf three days a week while managing the shop, and Paul worked at the local hospital’s community relations department in addition to running the shop. This arrangement lasted for 15 years, during which time Paul found a new sense of fulfillment and balance between his work and personal life. He retired at the age of 55, having enjoyed a diverse and rewarding career.

Now at 95 years old, Paul reflects on his life with gratitude and contentment. He has lived a rich life full of unique experiences, from his time in the Air Force to his career in public relations and his work in the antique business. Paul never married and has no children, describing himself as a “hermit” who has traveled the world and met incredible people along the way. He feels blessed to have lived such a fulfilling life and encourages others to embrace the opportunities that come their way.

One of Paul’s core beliefs is that everyone should serve in the military for at least a year after high school. He credits the Air Force with providing him discipline, structure, and a broader perspective on life. Paul believes that military service helps young people grow up and offers them a chance to build a better future for themselves. His time in the Air Force allowed him to meet diverse people, travel the world, and gain valuable life skills that shaped the rest of his career.

As he reflects on his military service and life experiences, Paul remains optimistic about the future. He hopes to live long enough to see his 95th birthday and to witness the outcome of the next presidential election, although he jokes that he might leave the decision-making to the younger generation. For Paul, life has been a wonderful adventure, and he feels fortunate to have lived it on his own terms.