Dan Cole - American Hero

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We got a call Saturday night that you never want to get. My brother in law Dan had been killed in a flight accident. Dan has been a pilot and mechanic for the National Guard for about 20 years. Dan loved flying and knew his helicopters inside and out. Dan has served our country in Kosovo and Iraq. I guess when he came home from those tours we all just breathed a sigh of relief, but as we all know too well - there are no guarantees in this life.

Dan is a few years younger than me, but I've known him all my life. He grew up on Hill street in Henderson; I grew up on North.  Our lives, like so many in a small town were always intertwined. We went to school, summer camp and church together and our parent's are good friends. We used to laugh about how Bryan and Deanna went away to college to meet new people and broaden their horizons...and both ended up marrying "townies".

Dan was a great guy. He proudly loved and served his country, but he also loved and served his fellow man and God. Dan was a wonderful friend who always had a smile on his face and brought joy and laughter to all those around him. This has been so evident from all the notes and stories that people have written about Dan online and all the comments we have heard from his fellow soldiers.

Dan and Deanna have two beautiful children Lauren (12) and Logan (8). They adored their Daddy! On Saturday, Dan flew over their house and had Logan come out and wave up at him. This happened just a few hours before the accident. I know in years to come that memory will become even more precious to Logan.

Please keep Deanna, Lauren and Logan in your thoughts and prayers as they learn to live life without their precious husband and father. We all know Dan is in a great place and flying with the angels now, but we sure will miss him on this earth!

We love you Dan!

Comments

BARBIE PAULMAN said…
I AM FROM HENDERSON, AND WANTED TO SAY, EVEN THOUGH I DO NOT KNOW THIS FAMILY PERSONALLY, IN A SMALL TOWN LIKE HENDERSON, EVERYONE IS FAMILY. THEREFORE MY HEART BREAKS AT HEARING THIS NEWS. I KNOW THE WHOLE TOWN OF HENDERSON IS MOURNING THE LOSS OF THIS WONDERFUL, SON, HUSBAND, FATHER AND SERVICEMAN. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THIS FAMILY. MAY GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU WITH HIS LOVING ARMS AROUND YOU.
July 11, 2011 at 10:30 PM
janis mccall said…
Dan was such a happy person, always smiling and having fun. His family and ours were together very much as his sister Beth is mydaughter Mollis's age. My son John roomed with Dan at FHU. We loved him so much, he will be missed .
July 11, 2011 at 11:24 PM
Scott Glisson said…
Dan was my first friend in Chester County. I was a pip-squeek 8th grader coming in to CCJHS in the middle of the year. I knew no one and was pretty apprehensive and quite nervous. To make matters worse I was shorter than every other boy in our class! I was made fun of almost immediately. Dan, being one of the bigger kids in school, stepped in and stood up for me right away. Basically told folks to leave me alone and befriended me immediately. What may have seemed like a small thing to him at the time was a life-saver to me. He helped me survive what was probably my hardest year. Even as an 8th grader he was ready to protect those that needed protection. And, he continued doing that through the very end.

Dan was a great friend even though I haven't seen him in years. I treasure his friendship and his sacrifice for me in the 8th grade and for me as an American!

God bless Deanna and the kids through what now may be the hardest year of their lives. My prayers are with them.
July 12, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Wendy said…
Laura
Thank you for the post. I am so sorry for your families loss.
Love
Wendy
July 13, 2011 at 11:08 AM
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