Ryan J. Cook

Spc. Ryan J. Cook, age 29, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, died on September 18, 2011, in Takhar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. 

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Ryan Cook joined the Army in March 2008, arriving in Alaska in May 2009. He had previously served a one-year combat tour in Iraq. His current tour was supposed to end in October of 2011. 

Father, lead Ryan to the
Stairway to Heaven.

Family members said that he had the bluest eyes, a disarming smile and the softest heart in the world. They also stated that he was proud to be in the military and proud to serve his country. 

Ryan is survived by numerous loving friends and relatives including his mother, Kathleen Silva, his father; and his wife and 5-year-old daughter. 

Let us pray to God the Father, Jesus, all of the saints and all of the angels that Ryan J. Cook is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.