2.6 min readBy Published On: April 27th, 2016Categories: Features0 Comments on Remembering Timothy Cook – Memorial Mass

The family and friends of U.S. Navy Petty Officer Timothy “DOC” Cook will remember and honor him at a mass at Gate of Heaven Church on Sunday (May 1, 2016) at 12 noon. Immediately following this memorial mass, the public is invited to attend a scholarship ceremony in Tim’s name for deserving students. The presentations will take place at the church basement and the public is invited.

We have seen a hero that left us so soon. South Boston’s Timothy Cook served with distinction as a Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, deployed to one of the most hazardous duty locations in the world. A combat veteran, Cook volunteered for one of the most difficult military assignments as a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman. Dedicated, focused, disciplined and well-trained, Tim served alongside the U.S. Marines in the Global War on Terrorism in Iraq.

These warrior guardian angels maintain constant battle readiness, serving with their brothers and sisters in arms. With little fanfare and often armed with a weapon and medicine, hospital corpsmen are exposed to constant and imminent danger. They often display a disregard for their own physical safety while displaying courage under fire and a fierce loyalty for which they serve: the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. Tim Cook is no exception to these proud ideals and he dedicated his life to defending our country.

Tim protected “his Marines” and stayed true to his mission as a proud hospital corpsman, to save lives of others. Always wanting to give back, Tim redoubled his efforts, with the assistance of USMC Sgt. Sean McLaughlin, designed a mass casualty vehicle that assisted in a speedy evacuation and medical care for wounded Marines.

Tim continued saving lives through his efforts as the mass casualty vehicle was successfully implemented into every Marine Corps unit in Iraq.

Tim lived his life in service to his family and our country. A proud veteran, it is fitting to honor and remember the heroic military service of Timothy Cook. His life was defined by those he helped and cared for.

Following his return from Iraq, Tim started developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress (P.T.S.).   Many returning veterans, like Tim, have suffered from hidden wounds of war that are present and real.

Please join the family and friends of Tim Cook on Sunday at Gate of Heaven Church at 12 noon in honoring Tim and his proud service to our country. As a country, it is not enough to say “thank you and welcome home” to a returning veteran. As a community, it is also fitting that we honor and recognize the life of someone so dedicated to helping others, on and off the battlefield. Tim Cook provided us with a legacy of caring and compassion and our neighborhood and country are a better place because of him. Tim’s legacy will also include helping those returning veterans with that same compassion and bravery that he showed us serving as a U.S. Navy Corpsman. The family and friends of Tim are proud of him and we will remember Tim for always placing others before himself.

Edward M. Flynn, U.S. Navy (Retired).

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