CE officers help save WWII veteran's home

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nathan Maysonet
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Two members from Team XL came to the aid of a local veteran whose Del Rio home was under the looming shadow of a tree preparing to fall July 28.

Second Lt. Garret Karnowski and 2nd Lt. Michael Archibald both of the 47th Civil Engineer Squadron, arrived at the home of Carl Cooley, an 87-year-old World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient, carrying with them the tools they would need to offer the man a helping hand.

"We heard about the situation and felt it would be an honor to help out a World War II veteran," said Karnowski. "It's a good feeling to know that Team XL is out in the community and showing that we really do care about Del Rio."

Glenn Purvis, 47th CES project manager, knew Cooley from dove hunting and Cooley had mentioned he needed help.

"I mentioned it to the lieutenants and they jumped at the chance," said Purvis.

Cooley, whose home had already been damaged by several large branches resting on his roof, had become worried that the pine would soon fall onto his house and had been looking to hire someone to help save his home with no luck.

"I'm a vet that can't get around so well anymore and I had a big old tree that I was afraid for years would fall down and destroy my home," Cooley said. "When I heard those two boys were going to help me I was so proud of them."

When the two lieutenants arrived they quickly got to work with shades on and chainsaws in hand to rescue his home.

"It was a lot of fun helping out and getting to work outside and do some heavy lifting," said Archibald. "Mr. Cooley was outside with us the whole time right in the middle of all the action, pointing and directing us. You could tell he really wanted to help out."

Under the Texas sun the two men went about their work carefully removing the tree limbs that had damaged Cooley's roof before bringing the doomed tree down.

"Cutting the 50-foot tall pine tree was a real challenge," Karnowski said. "Archibald had to dodge several other trees and the house itself, which was only 15 feet away. The winds kept picking up so timing the fall was everything."

By the day's end the tree was down and had been cut into a more manageable size and removed piece by piece from the veteran's yard taking nearly three loads stacked 8 feet high on a 24-foot flatbed trailer, explained Archibald.

The work of the two Airmen left Cooley a grateful man for the help Laughlin's CE members provided.

"I don't know how to thank them for volunteering and offering to help me," Cooley said. "I thank those two boys; they are really nice to do this."