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PITTSBURG —
Saturday was a perfect day to remember U.S. Army Cp. Daniel L. Cox, Parsons, who died Sept. 12, 2009, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
He was honored during Celebrating Our Military Heritage - 9/11 Never Forget, a ceremony at the Pittsburg State University Veterans Memorial.
“Daniel had a special love of football, you might say that it had stolen his heart,” said Rick Webb, a speaker at the event. “How fitting it is that we honor this special young man the day after the Parsons Vikings won a big victory and the day of the first PSU home game.”
Cox was born July 19, 1986, in Winfield, the son of Kim and Sharon Cox, and the family, including his sisters Shannon and Jennifer, moved to Parsons when he was in the fifth grade. He started playing football in the peewee leagues and worked his way up in the Parsons High School team.
“He never worried about stats or glory for himself, but for the team,” Webb said.
Cox also had another love.
“He always wanted to go into the service,” said his mother.
He even asked his coaches to do a special workout plan for him to prepare him for basic training.
“He went in two weeks after he graduated from high school in 2005,” Mrs. Cox said. “He enlisted behind our backs, and got it all done before we knew what was happening.”
In fact, Mrs. Cox said, her son first told his father the news, while she was out of town attending a birthday celebration for her nephew.
Cox was assigned to the Second Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, Third Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), based at Fort Drum, N.Y.
He was 23 and serving his second deployment when enemy forces in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. He and another member of his unit were killed in the attack.
Flags were flown at half-staff across Kansas in his honor on Sept. 21, 2009, the same day as his funeral in Parsons Municipal Auditorium. Cox is buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Parsons.
The family was presented with an engraved paver in Cox’s honor and his portrait was unveiled.
“The picture they displayed here today is the same one we’ve got on his headstone,” Mrs. Cox said.
She and her husband have attended several memorial ceremonies honoring their son and his fallen comrades.
Saturday was a perfect day to remember U.S. Army Cp. Daniel L. Cox, Parsons, who died Sept. 12, 2009, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
He was honored during Celebrating Our Military Heritage - 9/11 Never Forget, a ceremony at the Pittsburg State University Veterans Memorial.
“Daniel had a special love of football, you might say that it had stolen his heart,” said Rick Webb, a speaker at the event. “How fitting it is that we honor this special young man the day after the Parsons Vikings won a big victory and the day of the first PSU home game.”
Cox was born July 19, 1986, in Winfield, the son of Kim and Sharon Cox, and the family, including his sisters Shannon and Jennifer, moved to Parsons when he was in the fifth grade. He started playing football in the peewee leagues and worked his way up in the Parsons High School team.
“He never worried about stats or glory for himself, but for the team,” Webb said.
Cox also had another love.
“He always wanted to go into the service,” said his mother.
He even asked his coaches to do a special workout plan for him to prepare him for basic training.
“He went in two weeks after he graduated from high school in 2005,” Mrs. Cox said. “He enlisted behind our backs, and got it all done before we knew what was happening.”
In fact, Mrs. Cox said, her son first told his father the news, while she was out of town attending a birthday celebration for her nephew.
Cox was assigned to the Second Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, Third Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), based at Fort Drum, N.Y.
He was 23 and serving his second deployment when enemy forces in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. He and another member of his unit were killed in the attack.
Flags were flown at half-staff across Kansas in his honor on Sept. 21, 2009, the same day as his funeral in Parsons Municipal Auditorium. Cox is buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Parsons.
The family was presented with an engraved paver in Cox’s honor and his portrait was unveiled.
“The picture they displayed here today is the same one we’ve got on his headstone,” Mrs. Cox said.
She and her husband have attended several memorial ceremonies honoring their son and his fallen comrades.
“We went to one at Fort Drum, and this ceremony today was right up there with it,” Kim Cox said.
“We went to Fort Drum in June and got to meet President Obama,” Mrs. Cox said. “He was very good, and took time with each family member.”
Fallen warriors honored last year were Sgt. Philip Svitak, 31, Joplin, who died March 4, 2002, in Afghanistan, and Cpl. Richard “Ricky” Bennett, 25, Girard, who died May 30, 2006, in Iraq. Their parents were also present at the ceremony.
Speakers in addition to Rick Webb were Dow Quick of KOAM TV and Dr. Ron Seglie, Pittsburg physician and retired U.S. Army colonel. The ceremony also included a swearing-in for eight local young people who have just enlisted in the military.
“I try to do things that you don’t see at other events,” said Jim Gees, originator of the Celebrating our Military Heritage ceremonies. “When I enlisted, you were sworn in behind closed doors in Kansas City, and the families didn’t get to see it. I think this is important, and I have families who come to see this.”
He said he added the 9/11 component to the annual programs last year and plans to continue with that.
“This is something that’s big with me,” Gees said. “I’m so fortunate to have people who come in with me, including the U.S. Army recruiters, KOAM TV and Fox 14. This is all about honoring those who protect our freedom.”
“Every time I drive by this place, I will remember Sgt. Philip Svitak, Cpl. Richard Bennett and Cpl. Daniel Cox,” Webb said.
