Hometown hero laid to rest

In the shadow of the mountains a young soldier lived for, a few hundred gathered Saturday afternoon to celebrate his life and untimely death.

Pfc. Nicholas S. Cook, 19, was buried with full military honors at Woodlawn cemetery in Columbia Falls following a service at St. Richard’s Catholic Church, which drew a crowd that included Gov. Brian Schweitzer and U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.

In life, Cook was an avid snowboarder and excellent athlete who loved to wrestle and play baseball and football. He was raised by his grandparents Chuck and Kathy Taylor of Hungry Horse and graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 2008.

The member of the 2nd Batallion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based in Camp Ederle, Italy, died March 7 in combat in Kunar province, Afghanistan. According to the Department of Defense, Cook succumbed to wounds suffered during an insurgent attack. The specifics of that attack and Cook’s mission are still under investigation and have not been released by the military. His year-long tour in Afghanistan began in December.

Cook is the eighth soldier from Montana to be killed in Afghanistan.

Speaking at the service, Rev. Pat Pierce called Cook “a true hero who sacrificed his life for his country.”

Rev. Andrew Goodwin, who also spoke, said he was “proud to know him as a friend.”

“He was a typical boy growing up,” said Goodwin, “sometimes he’d get into trouble, but he’d always talk his way out ... he was quite a boy.” Goodwin said Cook was always a friend to the end.

Goodwin led the congregation in a prayer to help heal their hurting hearts.

As members of the honor guard carried the casket from the church, Cook’s grandmother, with whom he was especially close, collapsed, sobbing, into the arms of a nearby uniformed woman.

Cook’s niece wore two white daisies in her hair, each with a bottlecap in the center reading, “My uncle is a United States Army soldier.”

His two sisters each wore the homemade tributes as well.

Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, who processed Cook into the army, called Cook a great guy who will be sorely missed. “He was everything you’d expect in a soldier, a great soldier,” he said of the teen who was strong, quick and motivated. The unit escort, Giunta said it was his honor to stay with Cook’s body as he traveled from Dover, Del. to Columbia Falls.

A stiff breeze carrying the sounds of a rifle volley and “Taps” trumpet solo held the American flags surrounding Cook’s final resting place at a crisp attention over the sizable crowd.

Along with members of the Montana Army National Guard honor guard, who presented the graveside honors, friends and family saluted Cook’s flag-draped casket as it was carried to the grave.

The flag was later presented to Cook’s family by Army National Guard Brig. Gen. John Walsh.

After a few last words were spoken, family and friends lined up to place red roses on the casket as a final goodbye.

Along with his grandparents, Cook is survived by his mother, Charlotte Martin of New Jersey, his father, Jeff Cook of California, brother Christopher Taylor of Hungry Horse and sisters Melody Cook and Jacklynn Sisney, both of California.

Reporter Melissa Weaver may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at mweaver@dailyinterlake.com.