Marine museum at Quantico: 'Take the day'

Valley Press on ^ | Sunday, September 9, 2007

[BenLurkin]

You don't have to be a veteran to appreciate this nation's military history. It helps, but it is not required.

The museum opened Nov. 10, with President George W. Bush attending.

"I got to meet Bush," Denham said. "He's a good guy." The museum, Denham said, "is awesome."

"My recommendation is if you have visited the other Washington monuments, give yourself a whole day for the Marine Corps Museum," the sheriff's lieutenant said. "It's overwhelming."

For decades Antelope Valley resident Alvin E. Cooper sent a few bucks whenever he had a chance to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation . Those few bucks added up. The foundation, from its private sector donors, raised $60 million - none of that from the taxpayers - to build the museum.

"That, I think, is how I got the personal invitation to be at the opening," the retired master sergeant from Llano said.

Cooper dedicated two dozen years in the Marine Corps that included 15 months in Vietnam, with duty stints in Korea and Okinawa. What you'd call a "salty Marine," or a Marine's Marine. Among his pride in service: six awards of the Good Conduct Medal. Also, the Vietnam service ribbons underscored by volleys of Viet Cong rockets flying overhead from his piece of the battle space outside Da Nang Air Base.

Cooper entered service in 1946 when the "Old Corps" vets of World War II had just returned from campaigns on Guadalcanal, Okinawa and Iwo Jima.

[SunkenCiv]

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