WESTLAND – State Representative Richard LeBlanc (D-Westland) and State Senator Glenn S. Anderson (D-Westland) honored MSgt. Jason E. Cooper, a former Westland resident, for his 14 years of duty with the U.S. Marine Corps at the Westland City Council meeting on Monday evening.
"Time and time again, he has traded the comforts of home for the strangeness of a foreign land," LeBlanc said. "While I know we can never repay Jason or our other service members for their sacrifices, I believe we should do everything possible to support those who give so much. It is my honor to join with Senator Anderson in presenting this flag to Jason as a sign of thanks and a symbol of our freedom."
Cooper has been a member of the Marine Corps since October 1994. He holds the rank of Master Sergeant and is currently stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Cooper has been involved in many missions over the years, including "Operation Joint Forge" in Bosnia, "Cobra Gold" in Thailand, the Sri Lankan Tsunami Relief Efforts and "Operation Iraqi Freedom," where Cooper has served as team leader of "the Cowboys" Multi-National Security Transition Command.
"We are very proud of Jason and his dedication to our country, the Corp, and our family," said Eric Cooper. "When my brother was in Iraq it was a difficult time for our family, yet we also felt a great deal of pride that he was one of the many men and women in our armed services making a difference and performing the duty our great country asked of him. He has our love and support as a son, a brother, an uncle, a husband, a father, and of course a United States Marine."
A highly decorated solider, Cooper's awards include a Joint Service Commendation Medal – 2nd Award; a Navy Commendation Medal; a Good Conduct Medal – 4th Award; two National Defense Medals; an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; an Iraqi Campaign Medal; a Korean Defense Service Medal; a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; seven Sea Service Deployment Ribbons; a Humanitarian Service Medal, a NATO Medal; two Joint Meritorious Unit Awards; two Navy Unit Commendations; and two Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations.
The flag presented to Cooper on Monday evening was flown over the Michigan Capitol on June 26. The day was chosen in honor of Lt. Gen. Lewis "Chesty" Puller, a Marine Corps veteran of both WWII and the Korean War who was born on June 26, 1898. The flag was presented to Cooper in honor of his service and will be displayed on his next Iraqi deployment.
"Our nation and community owes Jason a debt of gratitude for defending us and protecting our way of life," Anderson said. "It is a great privilege to honor one of Westland's own. I can say with full confidence – the world is a better place because of what Jason has done in defense of our principles of freedom and liberty."
LeBlanc and Anderson also want to especially thank Jamie Johnston for coordinating the evening's event with Cooper and his local family members.