We
were very proud to be able to award Lt Col Paul Cooper (Ret) with a Quilt of Valor
today in a ceremony at the Crafty Threads Quilt Shop. Crafty Threads is the "Under Our Wings" shop registered with the Quilts of Valor Foundation that sponsors our CT
Quilters QOV Group.
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| Barb Linares-owner of Crafty Threads (and a Veteran) with Paul and his QOV |
Paul
had so many interesting stories to tell, so we asked him to go back to relate some
of his experiences beginning with his active duty service back in 1971. Paul had enlisted (after graduation from
college where he was in ROTC) and he attended the last officer training class
at Ft Sill (Oklahoma) that was sent to Vietnam. [ editor’s note: The Field Artillery branch of the US Army
traces it roots back to 1775 and the Continental Congress and is known as the
“King of Battle”. The home of the Field
Artillery is at Ft Sills. What a noble lineage Paul was signing up with …]
On
completion of his training, Paul was commissioned as a 2nd
Lieutenant and almost immediately sent to Southeast Asia. He recalled arriving in Cam
Ranh Bay, Vietnam,
on SuperBowl Sunday and listening to the game on the radio (for those of you
techies who are wondering, there’s a 12 hour time difference from Vietnam to the US).
Cam
Ranh Bay is now one of the most beautiful deep water harbors in the world. During the Vietnam War it was turned into a
major supply entrance point with off-loading ramps for large cargo vessels. In addition, a US Air Force Base was
constructed there with the large runways required for huge cargo and troop
transport aircraft. It was a beehive of
activity when Paul arrived.
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| Pershing II Test Flight 1983 |
During
his career, Paul was also assigned to one of only three Pershing missile
units. One unit was always on full alert
in Germany, one was at
stand-down and one remained in the United States. “Pershing” were solid-fueled 2-stage medium
range ballistic missiles used as the US Army’s primary nuclear capable
theater-level weapons.
Subsequent
to his active duty service, Paul remained in the Army Reserve while building
his civilian career. He earned his
Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree and worked for National
Airlines. He is now officially retired from
the military after 30 years of service to the United States, active duty and
Reserves. And remember that this man was
promoted repeatedly, for his competency and particular expertise, from his
initial rank of 2nd Lieutenant to his retirement rank of Lt Colonel
– well done, Paul!
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| (L to R) Heather, Joe, Amy, Linda (Paul's wife) and Paul |
We
were fortunate that some members of Paul’s family could be on hand at the
ceremony as we recognized Paul’s contributions to the security of our
Nation. We greatly respect his
willingness to serve and preserved our freedoms during very trying times.
THANK
YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, PAUL, FROM THE
CT QUILTERS QOV GROUP AND
THE QUILTS OF
VALOR FOUNDATION!
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| Label of Paul's Quilt of Valor |
