Pelzer Rescue Squad

On May 4^th, 2017, Pelzer Rescue Squad transported retired Staff Sargent Larry Cooper to Parris island to be honored at a Marine Corps graduation. Mr. Cooper is a dialysis patient who is transported three times a week by Pelzer Rescue Squad to Lyman Dialysis Clinic in Lyman, South Carolina. It has been a life long dream of Mr. Cooper’s to take his wife to see a Marine Corps graduation at Parris island.  This trip was made possible when one of the social workers at the Lyman Dialysis clinic reached out to a doctor at the VA hospital in Columbia, South Carolina and told him about Mr. Cooper’s service in World War II and the Korean War. Dr. Stan Moore of the VA hospital then contacted the US Marine base at Parris Island and arranged it for Mr. Cooper to be honored at the Marine graduation on May 5^th, 2017 for his service during World War II and the Korean War. During the transport on May 4^th from his home in Duncan, South Carolina to Parris Island, Pelzer Rescue Squad was met at Exit 33 off of I-95 by the Patriot Guard and the Beaufort County Sheriffs Department to escort Pelzer Rescue Squad and Mr. Copper into Parris Island and to give him a hero’s welcome to his hotel. Mr. Cooper feels very honored and blessed for the welcome and gratitude he received while in Parris Island. Pelzer Rescue Squad was very honored to be a part of Mr. Cooper’s experience and thanks Mr. Cooper for his dedication and service to our country.

Staff Sargent Larry L. Cooper, Jr. enlisted in the Marine Corps on September 30, 1946 in Columbia, South Carolina with service number 643431. He was assigned to the 4^th recruit battalion, Parris Island. Staff Sargent Cooper served during the end of World War II in the Philippines until he was discharged on September 17, 1948. He joined the USMC Active Reserves on September 18, 1948.

 Staff Sargent Cooper was then called back to active duty to serve in the Korean War with the 1^st Marines tanks and Amphib track battalion from February 1, 1952 to February 22, 1953. During his time in the Korean War, he was promoted to Staff Sargent on June 1, 1952.