thedrifter
04-24-03, 06:41 AM
Marine grateful for unique items in mother's care package
By Ike Crumpler staff writer
April 24, 2003
Lance Cpl. Joshua Cook is pretty lucky to be related to one of the best supply clerks around. It's just a shame that clerk isn't in the service.
Her name is Kriste Cook, and she's Joshua's mom. The Stuart resident has established herself as a valuable source of materials for the Marine, providing items that trump the classic care package stuff. She recently mailed him a night vision scope that serves as a handy addition to his standard-issue infrared goggles. She ordered it from a military equipment company.
She also sent him a short-wave radio so he can catch news reports on the BBC, and a swivel-head flashlight that's perfect for reading or writing letters.
When they were kids, Kriste Cook made sure Joshua, 21, and his sister, Kayla Cook, 18, of Stuart, had access to whatever they needed wherever they were.
"I'm one of those people, if you're camping and you need a wet nap or an aspirin, I usually have it," she says.
Joshua Cook is undoubtedly grateful. With the 2nd Tank Division, 7th Regiment, he's a scout who travels lighter than most servicemen, surviving on a thin stock of personal comforts. He shares a Humvee with two other Marines. One drives; one mans the main machine gun. Joshua Cook plots enemy positions and pinpoints them for artillery and air strikes.
"I said, 'How are you going to use that in the civilian world?'" his mother recalls asking him about his duty. "And he said it didn't matter, he wanted to do it.
"He can find anywhere. Just give him the address and he'll find it.
The 2000 Martin County High School graduate loves working out, running, swimming and mechanics. He joined the service to get money for college.
"He comes from a single mom," Kriste Cook says. "Unfortunately, one of his options wasn't a scholarship. He wanted to go to school."
He also desired an extremely demanding military career, making the Marines an obvious choice. His grandfather and Kriste Cook's father, Neil Collins of Jensen Beach, served in the Coast Guard. Her fiance, Bob Ashley of Palm Beach, served in the Air Force. Both men tried to talk Joshua Cook into another branch of the military -- to no avail.
"He said the Marines were the toughest and the baddest," she remembers, "and he wanted to go with them."
Sempers,
Roger
By Ike Crumpler staff writer
April 24, 2003
Lance Cpl. Joshua Cook is pretty lucky to be related to one of the best supply clerks around. It's just a shame that clerk isn't in the service.
Her name is Kriste Cook, and she's Joshua's mom. The Stuart resident has established herself as a valuable source of materials for the Marine, providing items that trump the classic care package stuff. She recently mailed him a night vision scope that serves as a handy addition to his standard-issue infrared goggles. She ordered it from a military equipment company.
She also sent him a short-wave radio so he can catch news reports on the BBC, and a swivel-head flashlight that's perfect for reading or writing letters.
When they were kids, Kriste Cook made sure Joshua, 21, and his sister, Kayla Cook, 18, of Stuart, had access to whatever they needed wherever they were.
"I'm one of those people, if you're camping and you need a wet nap or an aspirin, I usually have it," she says.
Joshua Cook is undoubtedly grateful. With the 2nd Tank Division, 7th Regiment, he's a scout who travels lighter than most servicemen, surviving on a thin stock of personal comforts. He shares a Humvee with two other Marines. One drives; one mans the main machine gun. Joshua Cook plots enemy positions and pinpoints them for artillery and air strikes.
"I said, 'How are you going to use that in the civilian world?'" his mother recalls asking him about his duty. "And he said it didn't matter, he wanted to do it.
"He can find anywhere. Just give him the address and he'll find it.
The 2000 Martin County High School graduate loves working out, running, swimming and mechanics. He joined the service to get money for college.
"He comes from a single mom," Kriste Cook says. "Unfortunately, one of his options wasn't a scholarship. He wanted to go to school."
He also desired an extremely demanding military career, making the Marines an obvious choice. His grandfather and Kriste Cook's father, Neil Collins of Jensen Beach, served in the Coast Guard. Her fiance, Bob Ashley of Palm Beach, served in the Air Force. Both men tried to talk Joshua Cook into another branch of the military -- to no avail.
"He said the Marines were the toughest and the baddest," she remembers, "and he wanted to go with them."
Sempers,
Roger