A Man Died Today

            A man lost both his parents at twelve years old and was raised by his brothers and sisters till he turned seventeen.  At seventeen he joined the Army to find himself and the Army became his new home.  Two years later, this man found himself stationed in Paris, France, where he found the love of his life, a French girl.  His wife gave birth to two sons eighteen months apart and the Army gave him the Vietnam War.  Two years later he managed to stay alive and come home to his wife and two sons.  He was blessed for he was able to raise his sons to become men, and be a devoted husband for fifty four years.

            As I look around these walls in his office I see all these certificates for Bravery, Courage, and an Army Commendation Medal, I come to the realization that this man had pride in his Country. This man retired from the Army with twenty-two years of service and then retired the U.S. Post Office with nineteen years of service.  However, his body paid a price, war was not good to him, his body was damaged and he knew that his days on earth would be cut short in his adult years.  So, when his Grandson was born in nineteen ninety-five he was filled with joy and made it a point to be the best Grandpa ever.  Hanging on the walls next to his certificates are proud moments caught on camera of his Grandson and him enjoying life together. 

            This man that died today was a fighter to the end; he battled death to the end with his wife of fifty-four years at his bedside, and his sons, his daughter-in -law and his Grandson all there praying for him to recover, so that he could come home.  For seven days he fought for his life in the hospital, a true soldier, and a man that lead by example not words.  At the end, his body shut down, and God’s prayer was answered.  He got to go home, the family was sobbing, for the home they meant in their prayers was home where he lived, not home with God.  Today was a hard day for all of them, as I look at the flag pole in his front yard and see the flag; I am reminded this man that died today was a husband, a parent, a grandfather, a combat veteran, a proud man. 

            Tomorrow he will be just another name in the obituary column of the daily paper, some will insult him, some will mourn, and some will not ever pay attention for there are so many names.  But it does matter to me, that man that died today is my father.  I love you dad, you will live in my heart and my mind till it is my turn in line to go home. Rest In Peace

SFC (Retired) George H. Cook passed away Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at Jewish Hospital, Louisville, KY.

Survivors include his loving wife, Madeleine A. Cook; two sons, George H. Cook, Jr., Michael D. Cook; a daughter in law, Sherri R. Cook; and one grandson, Bryan T. Cook.

Visitation will be from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM Sunday and from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM Monday at the Coffey & Chism Funeral Home, Vine Grove, KY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 PM, Monday, May 1, 2017 at St. Christopher Catholic Church, Radcliff, KY with Rev. Leo Craycroft officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central, Radcliff, KY.

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