Charles (Chuck) Cooper:
CLASS OF 1974
Hillcrest High SchoolClass of 1974
Springfield, MO
University of MissouriClass of 1986
Columbia, MO
Reed Junior High SchoolClass of 1970
Springfield, MO
Bowerman Elementary SchoolClass of 1968
Springfield, MO
Charles (Chuck)'s Story
How do you put into words how life has changed you? At this moment in time, I'm a Lt Col in the Air Force Reserve serving on an extended tour at Dover AFB, Delaware where I am the commander of the 436th Comptroller Squadron.
Since I've been here, I have seen how we honor the fallen members of our military. What those of you who are civilians don't see is something I see every single day. Let me try to explain.
Somewhere in Southwest Asia (Iraq, Afghanistan, somewhere else) a soldier/sailor/airman/marine falls mortally wounded. From there, the fallen hero is returned to the United States and is met by a Colonel or General Officer and the base...Expand for more
honor guard where a new flag is placed on the shipping casket. The love and care of everyone from the receiving party to the personnel at the Port Mortuary is clear and palpable. I had the honor of visiting the Port Mortuary and saw how much care and dignity fallen heros are given. I saw a fallen hero being placed into their beautiful wooden casket and then the dignity with which the hero is taken to an airplane to be returned to their loved ones. How does one see that and not get changed? My friends, we are the only country in the world that provides this service to our fallen heros.
It is an honor to wear the uniform of the United States.
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