Patriot Guard presents portrait of Trevor Cook to his family

Photos by Tom Rivers – David Cook holds a portrait of his son, Trevor, which was given to the Cook family today before the start of a golf tournament in Trevor’s memory. David Cook is joined by his wife Carol and their daughter Chelsea. The tournament is being played at Shelridge Country Club, where there is a memorial garden for Trevor Cook.

MEDINA – The annual Sgt. Trevor T. Cook Memorial Golf Tournament started with a special presentation this afternoon from the Patriot Guard Riders.

The Patriot Guard had a portrait made of Cook, who grew up in Lyndonville and joined the Marines. He served two tours overseas. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California and was a skilled crew chief and marksman. Cook was 25 when he was killed in a helicopter crash during a training exercise on July 6, 2011.

Patriot Guard member Rob Podlaski and his son Brandon unveil a portrait of Trevor Cook for Trevor’s family.

“Just like the families, we don’t forget,” Podlaski said in presenting the portrait.

The Patriot Guard has presented about 30 of the portraits to families of fallen soldiers in New York, said Don Higgins, a captain with the Patriot Guard.

Higgins addressed more than 100 golfers and Cook supporters today before the golf tournament.

Higgins recalled when about 200 members of the Patriot Guard escorted Trevor Cook and his family from the airport to Medina on July 15. The procession arrived in Medina after about two hours of delays.

Don Higgins, a captain with the Patriot Guard, addresses the crowd before the golf tournament started at Shelridge.

When the Patriot Guard and others in the processional made it to Orleans County on July 15, more than 1,000 crowded into downtown Medina at about 2 in the morning to show support for Cook’s family and respect for the young Marine.

“It was an amazing turnout with all of those people holding candles,” Higgins said.

Higgins said it was a touching tribute for the Marine. He also remebers when Trevor’s parents, David and Carol Cook, and their daughter Chelsea made a point of shaking hands with the Patriot Guard Riders that night, thanking them for their service.

David, Carol and Chelsea Cook listen to the comments from Patriot Guard Capt. Don Higgins.

Chelsea Cook thanked the community for their support over the past four years, for helping with a memorial scholarship in her brother’s name, a memorial garden at Shelridge, a memorial bench in downtown Lyndonville and other gracious gestures.

“You are the ones who picked up the pieces,” she told the crowd. “You were there and you still are here. Thank you.”

The Patriot Guard, and Trevor Cook’s family and friends gather at a memorial garden in his name at Shelridge Country Club.

These Patriot Guard members stand at attention and salute while the group at the golf tournament sings the National Anthem.

Rick Boyle leads the group in singing the National Anthem. He thanked the Cook family for providing a safe place for kids to play and hang out when Trevor and Chelsea were growing up. “Dave and the Cooks have been like surrogate parents to all of Lyndonville,” Boyle said. “Trevor couldn’t have had better parents.”