By Linda Shepard
C & G Staff Writer

ROCHESTER HILLS — Army Specialist Paul Groth hoped to see friends and family during his leave from service in Iraq.

But Groth did not want a recent get-together to be all about him. A young cousin’s health was foremost on Groth’s mind.

Ethan Bilpo, 7, suffers from hypoplastic left heart, a rare congenital heart defect that has resulted in several open-heart surgeries for the child, the first within days of his birth. A pool party was held in honor of both survivors Aug. 16 at Groth’s parents’ home in Rochester Hills.

“It was a party for me and my cousin,” said Groth, a Rochester High School graduate. The party invitation listed Groth as a “soldier” and Bilpo as a “warrior who fights for survival on a daily basis.” 

“Everyone wanted to see Paul,” his mother Maureen Hickson said. “But we wanted to have something for Hearts of Hope, too.” The organization aids those with heart ailments, providing needed information, care and support.

“We raised over $800,” Hickson said. “People wrote checks, gave gas cards, grocery cards and c@nparty rentals donated tables and chairs. It was amazing.”

A few days after the party, Groth readied for another seven months in Iraq, despite a “near miss” by a descending bullet during his last deployment.

“I took a bullet to the shoulder during a pretty violent uprising,” he said. “It was stopped by my American flag Velcro patch. I was knocked off my feet, but there was no blood, just a bruise on my shoulder. I was shook up for a couple of days. I’ve got the bullet.”

In addition to the pool party, the visit home included a celebration of Groth’s 22nd birthday. “We are just spending time together,” Hickson said. “Doing simple things like having breakfast.”

I’m very proud of him,” Hickson said. The experience in Iraq left her son “more mature and kinder,” she said.

“He has seen the worst of mankind and he has handled it so well,” she said.

You can reach Staff Writer Linda Shepard at lshepard@candgnews.com or at  (586) 498-1065.