Fallen soldier honored by Jellico vets

Nearly 100 people turned out in Jellico Tuesday afternoon for a Veteran’s Day ceremony to honor area veterans, and a Williamsburg High School graduate, who gave his life while serving in Iraq. Sgt. David K. Cooper, a Jellico native, died Aug. 28 in Qadasiyah, Iraq when his dismounted patrol unit came under small arms fire. Cooper was laid to rest in Bowling Cemetery in Jellico on Sept. 7.

With his crying family watching, Cooper’s name was unveiled on the monument at Veteran’s Memorial Park that honors local residents, who gave their life serving their country. He is one of three local soldiers who have died in Iraq and whose names are on the monument.

“On this Veteran’s Day, let us think of our rich heritage of our men and women in uniform, who have been taught to strengthen our nation,” said Ret. Army Lt. Col. Logan Hickman, who was the keynote speaker for the event.

“Today, Sgt. David Cooper comes to mind. As Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison said before the funeral, ‘it would be safe to classify David as a hero. Anybody, who would put their life on the line for their country is a hero to me.'”
Hickman noted that soldiers like Cooper believed in the cause for which they served.

“They are willing to risk everything for those on their left and right, and those of us back at home,” Hickman added.
Hickman reminded the crowd of the words of Ronald Reagan, who said that freedom is never any more than one generation away from extinction.

“The act of donning the uniform is a deeply symbolic act that has been and likely always will be,” Hickman said. “It is an act that expresses a deep and selfless commitment to the idea that we all call America.”

During the ceremony, J.B. “Bert” Elliott Jr. and Maureen Elliott with Anglo-American Advertising presented Cooper’s family with an American flag that had Cooper’s image overlaid on it.

Bert Elliott used to work with Cooper’s grandfather, E.L. Cooper, and the couple said they felt compelled to make the flag for Cooper’s family.

Kevin Walden, Veterans Service Officer with the Campbell County Department of Veterans Affairs, noted that Cooper is a hometown hero, whose mother and grandparents are from Jellico.

“He just paid the ultimate sacrifice. The bible says there is no greater love a man has than to lay down his life for his brother or in his case his country,” Walden said.

Walden said he hopes the ceremony conveyed to Cooper’s family that his sacrifice won’t be forgotten.
The American Legion Honor Guard and the Jellico High School JROTC participated in the event.