Pfc. Lukas C. Hopper, 20, of Merced, Calif.
Spc. Adrian L. Avila, 19, of Opelika, Ala.
Spc. Christopher M. Cooper, 28, of Oceanside, Calif.
Three names. Three deaths. And countless tears for three men who served their nation and died far from home.
Tonight's diary marks the passing of three soldiers, though there was little information available about two of them. As you read about them, please bear in mind what is invisible: all of those moments that they spent playing baseball or joking with friends; the first kiss; the times they made their parents proud with a good grade or a Boy Scout badge; the hugs for siblings at holidays; the care for a beloved pet. Remember that though these moments are lost, and that we may never hear about them, they happened. These men had lives that mattered, as llbear always says. Their moments mattered. They are mourned.
A friend of Lucas Hopper said it all: "I don’t think the world really knows who it lost today, but those of us who knew you understand it perfectly, and for that, I am grateful. I’ll miss you."
Pfc. Lukas C. Hopper, 20, of Merced, Calif. and of the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C., "died Oct. 30, southeast of Karadah, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over," according to the Department of Defense, which also notes that the circumstances surrounding the accident are under investigation.
"He wanted to be in with the action," (his mother,) Robin Hopper said. "He wanted to make a difference."
So many times, in reading tributes from friends, you come across the words "I will always carry you in my heart." Luke Hopper's friends went one step further: When Luke went off to war, his friends created Flat Luke and took him everywhere. There he is with a steer, a model cruise ship, riding the handlebars of a bike parked along a lovely stream. There he is, held up by his friends' hands and hearts, in pictures sent across the world so Luke Hopper could know just how much his friends were thinking of him.
Today, their hearts carry his memory. From the most recent entry on the Flat Luke site:
Luke, I will never forget the effect u had on my life and I will always appreciate what u have done as a person. -Nick Koenig
Before you left you told me, "take care of Ethan", and i said "of course i will, you take care of you"...I’ll still take care of ethan, if you still take care of all of us. -Natalie Astorino
Luke you will always be our hero, man, I love you. -Jeff Fuller
I don’t think the world really knows who it lost today, but those of us who knew you understand it perfectly, and for that, I am grateful. I’ll miss you. – Kyle Tassey
I will never forget you. -Erik Koenig
Luke Hopper, we will always remember you and never forget the laughs you brought to us. You were one of a kind. -Courtney Cardoza
From the flatluke twitter feed, two days ago: "to our hero, we love you."
What kind of guy inspires that much love and goofy affection? Friends and family talked with a reporter for the Merced Sun-Star about Lukas. His mother, Robin Hopper, said that "He's always been an adventurer -- always the one who wanted to be right in the middle of the action." His father, Yancy Hopper, remembered a different aspect of his son's personality, saying "He was just a lot of fun to have around. He brought the party with him." His best friend, Daniel Alcorn "described Hopper as a deeply caring friend who seized the day. 'He didn't really talk about the future all that often,' (Alcorn) said. 'He knew what was important, though. He took really good care of his friends and his family.'"
This photo was submitted to the Sun-Star: "Luke Hopper, right, shown at the Golden Valley High School prom in 2007, was killed last week in Iraq. At left is Hopper's best friend, Daniel Alcorn, now 20."
Unlike so many other soldiers, Hopper hadn't wanted to be a soldier since he was a toddler. His decision came later. His mother thinks that he might have started thinking about joining the military after an eighth-grade school field trip to Ground Zero in New York, and to the site of the Sept. 11 attacks in Washington, D.C. "He came back a little different from that trip," said his mother.
Still, it was only after he graduated from Merced's Golden Valley High School in 2007 and had a semester at Merced College under his belt that he enlisted. His mother said he was certain about his decision: "He knew he wanted to be infantry, and he knew he wanted to jump out of airplanes." The Raleigh, N.C. News & Observer writes that "Hopper joined the Army in January 2008. He completed infantry training and then Basic Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. He reported to the 82nd Airborne Division in May 2008." In his short career, he earned the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Oversees Service Ribbon, and Parachutist Badge.
The Sun-Star writes that "Hopper's unit took on a range of missions during his deployment, including guarding checkpoints and tracking insurgents. 'He hated guard duty because he couldn't stand staying still,' said his mother.... 'He wanted to be out in the streets on missions.'"
Hopper was in the gunner seat of his Humvee when it crashed and rolled over.
He would have been home in two weeks, when his deployment ended. Instead, his flag-draped casket arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Del. on Monday night.
In addition to his parents, Yancy and Robin Hopper, he is survived by two younger sisters, 17-year-old Chantal and 15-year-old Celeste, all of Merced. According to the Sun-Star, Hopper's family plans a burial on Saturday. They added that "Hopper will be buried in Catheys Valley and that his unit has planned two additional memorial services in Baghdad and Fort Bragg."
According to Fox-26, "flags at the Merced Civic Center and other city buildings were flown at half staff Monday." State capitol flags in Sacramento, Calif. will be flown at half-staff in his honor. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's press release on Hopper's death commended him for his "his courage and dedication," while a statement from Lt. Col. Dave Bair, his battalion commander, included these words: "(Friday), the battalion lost a treasured and dedicated trooper with whom it was a privilege to serve alongside. Pfc. Hopper's great sense of humor, devotion to his fellow paratroopers, and his dedication to mission accomplishment set him apart from his peers. He will truly be missed."
Last July, one of his friends wrote these words:
I realized that my best friend was missing and even though I obviously knew he was already, I found that I didn’t want to accept it. Is it selfishness? Perhaps, but I think in this world it is important to hold on to the things that really mean something. Basically- I miss Luke, I miss my friend, the person who would help me any time I needed it. So Luke, this past Forth of July we thought of you and hopefully you thought of us too.
To all who knew and loved Luke Hopper: Hold on to his memory. Love him still.
Godspeed, Pfc. Lukas C. Hopper.
**************************************************************************
Spc. Adrian L. Avila, 19, of Opelika, Ala., and of the 1343rd Chemical Company, 151st Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Battalion, 115th Fires Brigade of the Alabama Army National Guard, in Fort Payne, Ala., "died Oct. 29 at Khabari Crossing, Kuwait, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related accident," according to the Department of Defense.
"We called him the baby," said (the 1343rd Chemical Co.'s Staff Sgt. Loretta) Painter, of Geraldine. "He was very quiet and shy. Everyone liked him. He always had a smile."
Little information is available about Adrian Avila. Reportedly, the 19-year-old Avila was on his first deployment and arrived in Kuwait in April. He was on duty when a gate fell on him, says Staff Sgt. Loretta Painter, of the 1343rd Chemical Co. rear detachment in Fort Payne.
"We called him the baby," Painter said. "He was very quiet and shy. Everyone liked him. He always had a smile."
Capt. Andrew J. Richardson of the public affairs office at the Alabama National Guard in Montgomery told the Gadsden (Ala.) Times that the incident is under investigation and no details are being released.
His aunt, Peggy Traylor, told WFSA-12 that her nephew's casket was expected to arrive in Auburn today. According to the DeKalb County Times-Journal, "Funeral services will be Friday at 10 a.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika. A graveside service with full military honors will be at 1 p.m. at Fort Benning near Columbus, Ga. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home."
Godspeed, Spc. Adrian L. Avila.
**************************************************************************
Spc. Christopher M. Cooper, 28, of Oceanside, Calif. and of the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Schweinfurt, Germany, "died Oct. 30 in Babil province, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident," according to the Department of Defense, which also notes that the circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
Little information is available about Spc. Christopher M. Cooper, who was "found dead last week in his quarters in Iraq," according to Stars & Stripes. His brigade had been in Iraq for a year and is in the process of returning to Germany.
Capt. Matthew McGraw, the battalion’s rear detachment spokesman, told Stars & Stripes that a memorial for Cooper will be held in the next few weeks. According to a press release from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, state flags in Sacramento will fly at half-staff in Cooper's honor. "His selflessness is an example of the extraordinary passion and commitment displayed by our men and women in uniform," the governor said in a press release. "We send our condolences to Christopher's friends, family and fellow soldiers during this time of mourning."
I can only leave you with a few thoughts from those who knew and loved this man:
Chris & I shared many memories. He was a wonderful, charming, person. Although we have not communicated recently, I will miss him very much. I hope he knows how much he is loved. Our hero.
~
Justina Johnson,
Cape Girardeau, Missouri (Source)
christopher M. Cooper was a handsome young man that served our country. It is ashame that this had to happen
He was a family member and we will all miss him.
(Source)
Chris and I were roommates before he left to join the Army. He was always such a sweet and fun guy to hang out with. I will miss him.
— Bethany Moffat
I remember my trip to CA, to see Chris. He was so charming & fun. He took me to the ocean for my first time, we watched the waves & wrote our name in the sand. Sounds cheesy, but it meant so much. Lots of great memories. I will greatly miss him, he was a great person. A hero to all of us.
— Justina Johnson
(Source)
Update, 11/20: This is from CJConover in the comments:
I had the pleasure of serving with Spc Chris Cooper from 2007-2008 in 3rd PLT A. Co 1/11 ACR. As a fellow Bradley crew member for the crew of A34 and also a member of a team under his leadership and a fellow squad member in another. In his first ever Bradley Gunnery on track A34, compromised of at the time PFC Conover, SPC Cooper and Spc O'reilly with little to no experience in the track,we were able to qualify at the level of distinquished with Spc Cooper hitting 9 out of 10 targets. Along with being Top Gun in the platoon each crew member also recieved an Army Achievement Medal. It was the best crew I had ever been a part of. Even though we liked to joke around a lot and have a good time in and outside of the vehicle, when it came down to the gnitty gritty we would get the mission done above and beyond the requirements. Great atmosphere to work in in such a stressful environment. I can personally vouch for his leadership capabilities. He was thorough and by the book and taught me a lot about the importance of doing proper maintenance and actually helped me (a driver at the time) learn the ins and outs of the vehicle with hands on training. He treated me with respect and dignity as a subordinate and a peer when I caught up in rank, although I always looked up to him as a mentor due to his lengthy time in service (prior marine.) When it was time for me to become a gunner, he went out of his way to help me learn aspects of assembling and firing the 25mm cannon on the M3A2 (bradley.) During a 2 week training exercise at SKELA under his guidance for a portion of the exercise as a Team Leader, he motivated the entire team and made the training experience fruitful despite the living conditions and extreme workload. He was put in charge of the company living quarters (a horrible job) and he took charge and got people to clean the barracks when necessary, not just because he had authority to command people to clean but because people knew it was "Coop" asking and tactfully doing so. He wasn't one to bark orders or treat you like a like he was better than you. He actually listened to what you had to say. He wasn't one for complaining and it lifted those around him. In the army we have a saying "embrace the suck" and Spc. Cooper certainly did. He was fair and impartial and embodded all the qualities that make a good non-commisioned officer. The fact that this man wasn't an E-5 or even E-6 (with something like 8 years time in service) is just proof that the promotion system in the Army is faulty. Not only had he been in E-5/E-6 positions doing their jobs well but I have been under the leadership of much worse "NCO's" that should've been wearing his rank. If he didn't know something he would ask or learn it on his own. Like any good leader, he would take learning outside of the work environment when necessary to keep himself technically and tactically proficient as to better lead those around him. You could always talk to him if you needed someone to have a heart to heart with. I remember him speaking very fondly of home and family and reminiscing about his childhood with me one night in the back of a Bradley during a sandstorm in freezing conditions. His path in life wasn't laid with gold bricks and he didn't have many shiny things (wasn't very good with his money either ha) but he took everything for what it was worth. He lived down the hall from me and was a good friend too not just a comrade. I had the pleasure of spending time with him off duty often, he was a bright character with a quirky sense of humor that made his presence quite enjoyable. He also had many great stories that I still remember to this day. When he arrived in Germany after his PCS from Ft. Irwin, CA, he called me up long distance just to catch up. I've probably edited this post 10 times in the last hour because I keep thinking of more good things to say about him. He devoted the entirety of his adult life in service to our nation and I had hoped to see him again in the future. I'm am deeply saddened and a little angry that his leadership let it come to this. Even if death is part of the job description I can't help but feel like this is another tally on the wall, another good man robbed from us in a pointless conflict. I'm sure to have some photos of him around that I'd be more than happy to share when I find them.
Peace and best wishes to family,
Spc. (Ret.) Chris Conover
Thank you, CJConover. I'm so sorry.
Godspeed, Spc. Christopher M. Cooper.
**************************************************************************
You can help.
This list is from noweasels and I reprint it here with thanks to her and to you. Here's what you can do:
You can send a care package. Please consider brightening the day of a soldier with a care package.
You can write letters.
You can send a cup of organic coffee.
You can find other ways to give at anysoldier.com or Fisher House. If you have frequent flyer miles you would like to donate to hospitalized veterans or their families, please see Fisher House’s Hero Miles program.
You can help the left-behind animal companions of our troops. See how here.
And don’t forget them when they get home! Read welcomebackveterans.org to learn what you can do. Visit VoteVets and IAVA.
About "I Got the News Today" (IGTNT)
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor service members who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one. Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, blue jersey mom, twilight falling, joyful, roses, Chacounne, JeNoCo, SisTwo, SpamNunn, a girl in MI, JanosNation, Proud Mom and Grandma and True Blue Majority.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.