Message From Our Chaplain

Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460

Veteran-Owned and Serving You Since 1902

At Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460, we know how much it means to serve. As a veteran-owned organization, we are committed to meeting the needs of those in our community. We’ve been open since 1902, and that means we’ve spent over 120 years helping people right here in Solon, IA.

As part of our mission, we are open to the public for meals, special events, and more. To learn more about Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460 and what we’re all about, read this recent letter from our chaplain from December 2024.

A Message From Chaplain Doug Thompson

Richard was born in rural Iowa, and he grew up on a dairy farm. Even though he had to help with a lot of chores, both morning and evening, he felt that he had a wonderful life. He appreciated the hard work because it provided him with a strong work ethic that has carried him through life. He rode his horse to a one-room schoolhouse where he started his education and eventually graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1952.

After graduation, he drove to Mason City, where he saw a young man sitting at a table in the courthouse. He struck up a conversation with the young man, and by the time he left, he had enlisted in the U.S. Army. As he drove home, he was excited and felt like he was on top of the world. It wasn't until his front tires touched the driveway of his home that he became concerned about how he was going to tell his parents that he had joined the Army. After supper, he always helped his mother with the dishes. As she washed, he would dry the clean dishes. As they worked side by side, his mother asked, “Well, Richard, what did you do today?” He told her he just drove around, but mothers have a knowing instinct, and she pressed the issue further. “Richard, you just drove around. What did you do?” Richard told her that he had “volunteered for the draft.” Richard's mother exclaimed, “You volunteered for the draft! Why? There are young men in their twenties who haven't been called up yet! You're barely eighteen!” I am sure Richard's mother's heart was gripped with fear for her son's safety.

After basic training, Richard was trained as a machine-gunner. It wasn't long afterwards that he found himself in Korea. His best friend, Paul Dunn, always covered Richard's back as they settled into their foxhole. Then one day, during a large battle, a bullet struck Paul in the head. As Paul's lifeless body began to slump, Richard grabbed him and held him in his arms. Richard held his friend tightly and couldn't let go, nor could he accept what had just happened. 

Richard Sargent started yelling at Richard, “Get back on that machine gun, they're going to make another run at us!” Richard couldn't move or let go of his beloved friend Paul. The sergeant crawled over to Richard and shook him, saying, “We need you to man that weapon!” Reluctantly, Richard laid his best friend down, and he returned to his weapon. It wasn't long before the individual shouts and screams of the Chinese soldiers became a single deafening roar, punctuated by the blaring sound of bugles. As the other American soldiers opened fire, Richard followed suit. He kept firing his machine gun with deadly accuracy. How long the assault lasted, Richard couldn't recall, but the barrel of his machine gun glowed bright red.

Richard was discharged from Fort Carson, Colorado. Unceremoniously, he was handed his honorable discharge along with his DD-214. There wasn't any thank you or money provided so he could get back home to Iowa. Richard walked off base and started walking eastward. Later, a salesman stopped and asked where he was headed. Richard told him he was going home to Iowa. The man said, “Iowa is a long way from here. Jump in, I'll drive you to the Iowa border.” Richard found himself at the bus station, where he slept for three days until a bus arrived that would take him to his destination.

When he got home, it was too quiet. After supper on his first night, he went into town and drank until two in the morning. He quickly decided that drinking wasn't the answer. As he pondered his future, he reasoned he should use his GI Bill and go to college. First, he had one more thing he needed to do. He drove to Le Claire, Wisconsin, to see Paul's family. Paul's sister asked Richard to walk with her. As they walked, she asked a lot of questions. Richard answered the questions the best he could while sparing her a lot of the gory details.

Richard went to college and was elected president of the student council. He graduated with a degree in business. From there, he took up where it all started; he farmed for a living. He married, and he has two successful sons.

Richard's story doesn't end here. He has some advice he would like to share with the next generations. “Everyone should strive for peace. Stop all the hate. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. We live in the best country in the whole world, and the heart of our nation is our freedom. Freedom isn't free; it's very costly, and it's paid for by men like Paul. Don't ever take it for granted. As much as I want peace and strive for peace, I am afraid we will always have wars. It will take people with courage to step forward, willing to risk everything to preserve our nation's freedoms.”

Richard also mentioned to me that deep down he misses the adrenaline rush of combat. He wondered if something was wrong with him. I assured him that it was a very common feeling.

Richard hopes that he will always be remembered as a nice guy. “I love people, and I love being around people. I hope I'll be remembered as a friendly guy.”



I think Richard Cooper will always be remembered as a nice guy, ready with a smile and a helping hand. I am honored to know him, and I am grateful that he was willing to share some of his story with me. Trust me when I say it wasn't easy for him to speak about Paul Dunn; we both wept tears of deep grief. Thank you, Coop, and thank you, Paul.

Doug Thompson, Chaplain dotandjot@aol.com