[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 88 (Thursday, May 20, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL ARTHUR B. COOK, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2021

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
an individual from my hometown of Corona, California whose dedication 
and contributions to our nation are exceptional. On Saturday, May 29, 
2021, retired Lieutenant Colonel Arthur B. Cook, Jr. will serve as the 
2021 Grand Marshal of the 7th annual Memorial Mile March. The March is 
an event hosted by the Corona Chamber Foundation to honor our military 
and those who have proudly served our nation in uniform.
  Lt. Col. Cook proudly served in the United States Army for 27 years 
and 7 months. Early on in his career, Lt. Col. Cook held the honor of 
Platoon Leader of the Old Guard, the Army unit that performs the 
funeral services for Arlington National Cemetery and guards the Tomb of 
the Unknown Soldier. On the solemn evening when President John F. 
Kennedy's body was brought to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, Lt. 
Col. Cook was on duty with the Old Guard.
  Later in his Army career, Lt. Col. Cook graduated with distinction 
from The Infantry School and Officer Candidate School. During a tour of 
duty in Vietnam, Lt. Col. Cook was awarded the Silver Star and two 
Bronze Stars for valor in action. He also received the Meritorious 
Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, 
Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with 
Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Medal among many others. 
Upon returning from Vietnam he and his wife, Dickey, and daughter, 
Noelle, settled in Corona. The Cooks have lived in the same home in 
Corona since 1969.
  In light of all that Lt. Col. Cook has done for our nation and 
community, it is only fitting to honor him as the Grand Marshal in the 
Memorial Mile March. On behalf of everyone in the 42nd Congressional 
District I want to thank Lt. Col. Cook for his service to our nation. I 
add my voice to the many who will be congratulating Lt. Col. Cook for 
being selected as the 2021 Memorial Mile March Grand Marshal.

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