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By Percilla Newberry and Jim W. Boyd
VVA Chapter 574 in El Paso, Texas, had the privilege of hosting
the Texas State Council summer meeting at the Holiday Inn
in El Paso. This was the first time in many years that
three of VVA’s national officers—President
John Rowan, Vice President Jack Devine, and Treasurer Alan
Cook—came to the Texas meeting.
Cook mentioned that
his son, Sgt. Daniel Cook, happened to be stationed at
Fort Bliss in El Paso and had recently returned from his
second tour in Iraq. Alan and Cindy Cook had not seen their
son since December. Daniel’s brother, Steven,
has just completed his military career. “Daniel and
Steven always wanted to join the military and serve their
country,” Alan said. Both sons followed their father’s
footsteps by enlisting in the Army. For three generations,
the men in the Cook family have served in the nation’s
armed forces right after high school, and for three generations
they answered the call during wartime. The Cook’s family
service in the military can be traced back to the Civil War.
Daniel’s
MOS is in Air Defense. He has served in various locations,
including Iraq in the International Zone (known as the Green
Zone) and at Camp Anaconda. Daniel served his first and second
tours guarding truck conveys and the U.S. Embassy in the
Green Zone. Daniel has been in the military for five years
and two were in Iraq. He has received the Army Commendation
with Valor.
Chapter 574 President Lucio Moreno asked Alan
to invite Daniel to the Awards Banquet at the Texas State
Council meeting. The chapter surprised him with a Certificate
of Appreciation for his service. After the presentation,
every Chapter 574 member and his spouse lined up to shake
Daniel Cook’s
hand or hug him, welcome him home, and thank him for his
service.
Chapter 574 has honored more than fifteen hundred
returning service members by inviting them to chapter meetings
and presenting them with Certificates of Appreciation. Afterwards,
everyone sits down to a big Texas meal.
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