- Derek Cook (FCHS ’01): A Marine One pilot who has flown three U.S. Presidents and now continues to serve as a Marine reservist and commercial aviator.
- Jack Coffman (NAHS ’67): A Vietnam-era Navy signalman who has dedicated his life to serving Southern Indiana through small business, real estate, and public office.
Excerpt from the November 2024 Legacy Ledger (Issue 51):
Amanda Beam, Guest Contributor
Each November, our nation recognizes the triumphs and sacrifices of those who have served in the United States’ Armed Forces. Their dedication and bravery to our country preserve our freedoms and sustain our American way of life.
This month, we honor two such remarkable individuals. One entered the Navy as a signalman during a time of war, just two years after graduating New Albany High School. The other, a Floyd Central graduate, flew helicopters for the Marine Corp, offering support to his fellow corpsmen and humanitarian aid to those suffering unimaginable tragedy.
These distinguished warriors are but two of the countless men and women who have graduated from NAFCS schools and then entered military service. We salute each and every one of our veterans and give thanks for their strength and commitment to the United States.
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Derek Cook (FCHS ’01):
Nothing but clear skies for Marine One pilot
A Squadron Commander once told Derek Cook if you give someone enough rope, they either hang themselves, or they swing to great heights.
Derek’s accolades and accomplishments, both personal and professional, prove not even the sky is the limit for the 2001 Floyd Central High School grad.
The 42-year-old’s resume reads like a lead from a blockbuster action movie.
2005 United States Naval Academy graduate. Marine heavy lift helicopter pilot. Awarded five air medals. Master’s degree in Leadership Studies from Marshall University. Loving husband and proud father of five. White House Military Office liaison. Commercial jet aviator.
And presidential helicopter pilot for not just one of America’s Commander in Chiefs, but three.
“The Navy’s slogan used to be ‘It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure’. And really, that’s probably the number one thing that I love about it,” Derek said. “If you want to go have an adventure, you can have it in the military.”
Born to now retired NAFCS teachers Jerry and Linda Cook, Derek’s high school activities spanned the spectrum. Not only did he play soccer and baseball, but he also served on Student Council and performed in band. It took going away to the US Naval Academy and meeting cadets from other schools for him to appreciate the caliber of the education he received during those formative years.
“As a student, I took for granted all of the quality programs we had access to. It took me a while to realize that level of excellence in sports, academics, and fine arts is rare in a public school,” Derek said. “I’m very thankful for the foundation Floyd Central laid for me, and I’m very thankful for the countless hours the teachers, and parents throughout the community worked to shape that experience.”
After graduating the US Naval Academy with a bachelor’s degree in Economics, Derek was commissioned into the US Marine Corps, receiving an aviation contract. From the start, he dreamed of becoming Maverick from Top Gun, flying fighter jets across a blue sky. Fate had other plans. At the time of his aircraft selection, only helicopters were available. Upon his winging, he was assigned to fly CH-53E heavy lift helicopters out a Miramar air station in San Diego, CA.
Gritty is the term Derek used to describe this first half of his aviation career. He and his squadron responded to disasters such as the massive 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, delivering food, water and supplies to remote villages throughout West Sumatra. Deployment to Afghanistan followed, where he supported Operation Enduring Freedom.
“During those years, we were flying long hours, in hydraulic fluid-soaked flight suits, at night, with dirty aircraft to remote locations,” he said. “At the end of the mission, the reward was getting people or things where they needed to go safely.”
His return from combat operations in 2011 marked the second half of his career, a period he defined as “polished”. After completing Weapons and Tactics Instructor course as well as Expeditionary Warfare School, Derek was selected to fly presidential helicopters. From 2014 to 2021, the Marine served under presidents Obama, Trump and Biden, transporting the leaders in Marine One to events and meetings around the globe. Also, during this time, he acted as a liaison to the White House Military Office for multiple events, including the 45th Presidential Inauguration.
“Every flight was conducted within a high visibility environment, with shiny aircraft, dress uniforms, media present, cameras flashing, and world leaders onboard. Those missions took me around the world; to the base of the Eiffel Tower; Nairobi, Kenya; Delhi, India; Lima, Peru; and many other destinations around the globe,” Derek said. “With those missions came a sense of pride that we were always on point, and our decision-making as a pilot had to be perfect.”
In 2018, Derek shifted to civilian life. While he continues his military service as a Marine reservist, the aviator also pilots jets for a major commercial airline. His exciting journeys haven’t been interrupted, though. He finds more than enough adventures with his wife Vanessa and their children in their Orlando home.
Looking back at his career, and understanding dreams, like becoming a Marine Maverick, might not have always happened as he planned, Derek offered advice to students still at Floyd Central.
“There were a half-dozen other times throughout my career that I wanted something, but didn’t get it,” he said. “Even though things didn’t work out like I had hoped, things worked out for the best. ‘Bloom where you’re planted’. If you don’t get what you want, take a breath, and continue to grind. Things may turn out better than you ever expected.”
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Jack Coffman (NAHS ’67):
Military service evolved into lifelong service to Southern Indiana
More than 8,000 miles away from his Indiana hometown, Jack Coffman stood on the deck of a US Navy destroyer near the coast of Vietnam and signaled to nearby ships. With war raging in the southeast Asian nation, naval vessels helped protect themselves by going radio silent. Yet, communication between ships remained a necessity.
That’s where Jack came in. At times, he maneuvered flags to visually spell out coded words. In other circumstances, the enlisted man would operate alight to transmit needed messages.
“You had to be careful. You didn’t want to make a mistake,” Jack said. “They don’t have that (problem) now. It’s all more modernized.”
But before completing two tours of duty in Vietnam, Jack was raised off of Highway 150 in rural Floyd County. He remembered waking up early to ride the school bus his father drove, transferring at Galena for the haul to New Albany High School. His class of 1967 would be the last to graduate from NAHS before Floyd Central High opened the following school year.
While at NAHS, Jack took part in the agricultural program led by teacher James Ward. Not only did these classes teach students about the mechanics of farming, but imparted lessons in business as well. During his time at NAHS, Jack also joined Future Farmers of America, and continued his agricultural education by receiving on-the-job work experience. He and other students spent the second half of their school day working for the New Albany Parks Department. His biggest contribution was helping to build Sam Peden Community Park.
“I tell you the thing that what we learned most in agriculture through Mr. Ward and through FFA is leadership skills,” Jack said. “There were several of us that were involved in FFA that became pretty successful business people today.”
After graduating from NAHS, Jack attended college, but decided it wasn’t his thing. Instead, he went to work at Sears Department Store.
Two years later, the Floyd County native joined the Navy as a signalman. On his leave from bootcamp, he wed Irene, his high school sweetheart. Three children and 55-years later, they remain happily married.
During his four years in the service, Jack served as signalman on Navy destroyers. On his second deployment to Vietnam, he worked onboard the USS John S. McCain, a guided-missile destroyer that was named after the grandfather of the future Senator John S. McCain III.
“Being in the Navy, there was lots of challenging work,” Jack said. “You had to be responsible, because you worked with a team of men in your departments. And if one person was weak, then your whole department was weak.”
Upon returning home to Southern Indiana after completing his military service, Jack and his wife soon started their own chimney sweeping business that also specialized in sales and safety.
“But in the chimney sweep business, you either retire or you fall,” he said.
After 25-years, Jack chose to retire.
And yet he still wanted to work. So, the Borden resident obtained his real estate broker license and for 22 more years sold area homes.
Alongside his owning these small businesses, Jack also entered elected office, first for a four -year term as a Clark County council member, followed by 12 years as a Clark County Commissioner. Having won reelection earlier this month, Jack will begin his fifth term on the county commissioners this January. He’s proud of his public service, especially his work with helping to develop River Ridge Commerce Center, an industrial park in Jeffersonville.
“We have accomplished a lot here in Clark County. We’re one of the fastest growing counties in the state,” he said. “Everybody talked about Indianapolis for years and years and years, but now Southern Indiana is the crossroads of America… River Ridge is the largest industrial complex east of the Mississippi. And right now, we have the largest construction project going on in Indiana, with Meta.”
Through it all, Jack continues to give thanks to his family for their love and support.
“I have a blessing of a wonderful wife who’s went through all this with me. We started a business together, and just continued on,” Jack said. “I got a wonderful, wonderful family. They all live close by. I’m a blessed man.”
Read the entire November 2024 Legacy Ledger (Issue 51).