Spring Break
Memorial service honors former student
By: Amanda Casanova
Issue date: 1/21/09 Section: News
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Cook, a Lufkin native, died Jan. 12 after a Texas National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in which he was a passenger crashed on Duncan Field.
"Zac was truly an exceptional young man, leader and a great Aggie," Army Col. Samuell Hawes said. "He was the consummate Aggie. He was friendly, fun, loving, hardworking and hell-raisin' at times."
A slideshow accompanied by Highwaymen's "Live Forever" showed snapshots of the smiling, clean-cut 22-year-old linking arms with fellow Corps members and posing with his family.
"We were lucky to get Zac," Hawes said. "How do we produce Aggies like this? How do we produce Aggies as good as Zac?"
Cook graduated from A&M in December 2008 and was a newly commissioned Aviation Army officer.
Texas A&M President Elsa A. Murano told attendees she met Cook at commencement and his commission.
"I remember shaking his hand," she said. "Being 5 feet tall, I notice tall people."
Murano said the 6-foot-5-inch soldier was a true Aggie who will be remembered by the University.
"Like many of you here, I did not know Zac Cook very well," she said. "Over the past few days, I've learned that he was a humble and quiet man. When his name is called at Muster, I will say 'here.'"
Members of Cook's former Corps unit, Company D-1, Parsons Mounted Calvary and the ROTC cadre attended the hour-long ceremony.
Cook's family was also in attendance.
Two flags, including one from state senator Steve Ogden, were presented to David Cook Jr., Zac's brother.
"He treated everyone with respect and like best friends," Marc Hurst, Cook's friend and fellow Aggie, said. "It was always about what he could do for his people or his country."
The ceremony ended with a roll call, where Cook's name was answered by three cannon fires.
As the ceremony ended, the auditorium echoed with the singing of "The Spirit of Aggieland," followed by taps.
"He graduated Dec. 12 and died Jan. 12," Hurst said. "He was our 12th Man."
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