BY NATALIE GILSTRAP
Special to the Monitor
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – To preserve the memory of Gary Ray Cooper, a Keystone Heights High School graduate killed in the Vietnam War, a new, enhanced memorial will be built and placed at the corner of Southwest Peach Street and Highland Avenue.
A previous memorial to Cooper was erected at the former site of Keystone Heights High School’s football field, which later became a playground at the elementary school. Construction of the elementary school’s new cafeteria meant the memorial had to be moved, and a reconstruction committee took the lead in designing and building the new monument.
“It’s near and dear to my heart to be involved in putting it back more enhanced than what it was,” said Jeff Miller, chairman of the reconstruction committee for the Gary Cooper Memorial.
Miller added that the reconstruction committee has worked closely with architect Paul Stresing, the construction team at Scorpio, and the school board to bring this memorial to fruition.
The new memorial will consist of a four-foot-tall, three-foot-wide, six-inch-thick granite stone shaped as a keystone.
The stone will have a ceramic rendering of Cooper’s football picture, his service photograph, and a proclamation from the city stating his achievements.
In addition, the committee will include the original monument’s plaque, a bronze star, three Purple Hearts, and a poem on the stone.
The Scripture John 15:13 will be at the base. The monument will be placed on a grey granite tile shaped like a hexagon, 22 feet across.
The memorial will also have floodlights, a flag, benches, and a Wall of Faces leaflet attached to the monument, providing individuals with information about Cooper.
Lastly, the committee plans to have the bricks from the original monument turned into a platform with a bronze statue placed on top.
“A tremendous amount of thought went into this,” Miller said. “This didn’t just happen; this is months and months of planning.”
Construction for the new memorial has started, and the committee plans to have it completed on Veteran’s Day.
In addition, the committee will be hosting a rededication ceremony on the Friday after Thanksgiving. It will consist of AMVETS Post 86 conducting a color guard ceremony and playing taps.
The committee also plans to have American Legion members, county commissioners, school board members, and the Scorpio construction team attend the rededication.
Lastly, Keystone Heights Elementary Principal Beth Turbeville will present a learning opportunity for the students on Veteran’s Day at the new memorial.
Gave 110%
Gary Ray Cooper was born on July 23, 1947, and died on November 8, 1968, while serving his country in Vietnam.
At Keystone Heights High School, Cooper was chosen for All-area and All-conference teams in basketball. He was also selected for football All-conference teams for two years.
Cooper was the class president, K-Club president, and on the student council. He was also voted Best Personality for the Class of 1967.
As a soldier, he was known to be outstandingly brave and was awarded 3 Purple Heart medals. Other accomplishments include being awarded the Bronze Star for Bravery in Combat, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Expert Marksman Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal.
“He was just a fella who gave 110% while he was here, and he gave the ultimate sacrifice when he went to Vietnam,” said Miller.
