Photo By Sgt. Richard Mohr | 25th Infantry Division welcomes Vietnam Veteran Dennis Cook during his visit on...... read more read more
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SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii-- The 25th Infantry Division answered the Nation’s call to battle in Vietnam in 1965. Among that call was infantryman Dennis Cook, who deployed with the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment “Cacti”, 3rd Brigade Infantry Combat Team, 25th Inf. Div. during the Battle of Vein Hein in 1967.
“Just everyday was a challenge in Vietnam,” said Cook. “You didn’t know by night time if you were still going to be around. It was just a challenge to stay alive.”
As Cook deployed straight from basic training to join the 2nd Bat., 35th Inf. in Vietnam, he was never able to visit Schofield Barracks until now, April 13, 2021, 54 years later.
Cook started the day visiting the Bronco Cafe for lunch and had the pleasure to sit down with 2nd Bat., 35th Inf. Soldiers. Spc. Isaiah Jackson, a fellow Cacti Soldier and infantryman, was one of the Soldiers who had the opportunity to eat lunch with Cook and hear his stories.
“To be able to talk to him was a real honor and I got a lot out of our conversations,” stated Jackson. “One of the things he made me realize is how much the guys to my left and right matter.”
After ending lunch, Cook was given a tour of the 2nd Bat., 35th Inf. Reg. buildings and their area of operations. He was shown the statue of the 100th anniversary of the 35th Infantry Regiment as well as the memorial of the fallen 35th Inf. Reg. Vietnam Soldiers.
“I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be here,” said Cook. “It’s so rewarding for me to be here and see where the 25th [Infantry Division] originated.”
Cook attended the division patching ceremony for new Soldiers who arrived on the island from their previous duty stations. He was also greeted by division leadership , including Maj. Gen. James B. Jarrard, 25th Inf. Div. commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. William Pouliot, 25th Inf. Div. command sergeant major.
At the end of his visit, Cook was able to pull the lanyard on the cannon to signal the end of the day retreat for the Division.
Although Cook lives in Utah, he hopes to keep the 25th Inf. Div. with him as he makes his journey back home, and is glad he was able to visit the Division he was once a part of.
| Date Taken: | 04.13.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 04.20.2021 22:39 |
| Story ID: | 394310 |
| Location: | SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 92 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Vietnam Veteran Visits Schofield Barracks, by SGT Richard Mohr, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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