Interviewed by:
Dillon McCarthy and Joe Clifford

I wish that we were spending a quarter of what we’re spending on the military on housing for people, on education, and healthcare, and taking care of each other, that would be much more positive."

~ Paul Herbert 26:17

Paul Hebert's Story:

Every day, people are leaving the military and none of them are the same as when they entered. Most of them leave with experience, some leave with hatred, some with wounds. Every so often, somebody leaves the military with hope for a better world and motivation and drive to do whatever necessary to contribute. One such man is Paul Hebert. Born to a Fall River family already full of veterans in 1948, Paul always wanted to do good in the world. He enlisted in the Army in1969 because he could not morally accept the idea of being drafted. After completing Basic Training in Chicago, he served as a food inspector for Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington. Then, like many others in the military, there was a day that changed him. After hearing about the tragedy of the Kent State Massacre, he vowed to never again put a bullet into his gun. Instead, he would spend his life working for peace, justice, and human kindness. After the Kent State incident and the Vatican II decree, Paul declared himself as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War and was given an honorable discharge. After returning from Walter Reed, Paul moved to Cape Cod where he and his wife Carolyn founded a non-profit organization called CHAMP Homes for not only other veterans like himself, but any homeless person in need of help. They have helped to change the lives of over 2,000 individuals living on the Cape. Paul also is currently serving on the Barnstable Town Council and currently lives in Centerville.