WWII veteran from Desert Hot Springs recognized for service

At 92, Richard Coover is proud to have served his country.

“I think I love our country,” he said. “We all love our country, and we’re glad we did what we did.”

The WWII survivor remembers his time overseas as a Marine. He was even there the day the flag was raised at Iwo Jima.

“We were right at the bottom of Mt Suribachi, and there was an ammunition dump that exploded all night long,” Coover said. “That damn flack from the explosives.”

“Well, I’m glad we won it,” he said. “That’s all. I’m glad we won the war. I’m glad we won that island, because they didn’t like us. We were the enemy. First class enemy.”

Sunday, Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz thanked Coover for his service, honoring him with a flag that flew over the Capitol.

“Everyday veterans don’t have the pomp and circumstance that you see during the holiday parades,” Ruiz said. “They live struggling, day in and out in every day living rooms. And the way we honor those who have passed are helping those who are living right now.”

Service in the Marines runs deep in the Coover family.

“It’s a family tradition,” Coover’s son, Daniel, said. “My uncle was a Marine. I was a Marine. My dad was a Marine. The Marine Corps is the best fighting force on the face of this planet.”

Daniel said he reached out to Ruiz’s office for medical help for his dad, who was diagnosed with colon cancer.

“The Congressman’s Office, anytime you need help within 24 hours, there’s a phone call,” he said. “If there’s an issue wtih health care benefits, with health, with funerals, with anything, the Congressman’s Office is there to help. And that’s what they did for my family.”

Richard said he can’t thank Ruiz enough for making sure he’s taken care of and honored.

“I’m overwhelmed,” he said. “There’s a lot of guys like me all over the place. Some of them are gone now because of their age.”

Which means the world to Daniel to know his dad has an ally after serving his country.

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