Ortt honors Veterans Hall of Fame inductee John Cooper Jr.

Submitted by the Office of New York State Sen. Rob Ortt

On Tuesday, Sen. Rob Ortt and the New York State Senate proudly inducted the Rev. John Cooper Jr. to the Senate’s Veterans Hall of Fame.

During his six years in the U.S. Army, Sgt. Cooper served as a sniper with the 25th Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade, Reconnaissance Commandos (Recondo); and the 10th Mountain Division, 1st Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment. He served one tour of combat duty in Afghanistan as a sniper section leader.

Cooper is a fierce advocate for veterans, including veterans struggling with addictions and homelessness. He serves as the executive director/CEO at Niagara Gospel Mission, a nonprofit organization in Niagara Falls that focuses on both the physical and spiritual needs of the people it serves. Niagara Gospel Mission operates a soup kitchen, offers free clothing, serves as a men’s shelter and code blue shelter, has transitional housing, and offers a special program for struggling veterans – providing them long-term housing and opportunities to find work.

“John had an impressive military career and has shown outstanding stewardship for his community since returning,” Ortt said. “Rev. Cooper truly embodies the values we seek for inductees to this program. He has selflessly served his country and his community, and it’s an honor to induct John Cooper Jr. from Senate District 62 into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.” 

Cooper said, “I’m extremely honored by this nomination by fellow infantrymen Sen. Ortt. I strive to serve with my old unit’s motto, ‘Deeds not Words.’ I am glad to bring the same fighting spirit to the City of Niagara Falls that molded me on the battlefield. All glory to Christ our king!”

Cooper spent much of his career in the Army as a sniper, earning various accolades such as the National Defense Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Award. he served in multiple leadership positions in the infantry, including senior sniper, anti-armor section leader, headquarters platoon sergeant, QRF squad leader and sniper section leader. 

Cooper also volunteered in the ministry service while serving in the Army, volunteering here in New York as well as in Pennsylvania, Hawaii and Afghanistan. He is an ordained Baptist pastor and studied at Liberty University to earn a Master of Divinity with a focus on organizational leadership. 

In an effort to bring more money to the Niagara Gospel Mission, Cooper raised more than $16,000 to benefit homeless veterans in his care by “Rucking for Rescue.” He filled up his old Army bag, strapped it to his back and marched more than 200 miles to raise awareness of the issues faced by the many people who struggle with homelessness. 

Cooper supports veterans in many ways, including being the host of a podcast and website called the “Godly Grunts,” offering a platform to discuss topics that affect combat soldiers and how they can strengthen their faith along with showing correlations between the physical battlefield and the spiritual battlefield. He also co-authored a book, “The Warfighters Catechism,” which addresses both the straightforward and complex questions that confront warfighters on the battlefield and beyond with the all-sufficient counsel of God’s word. 

Cooper grew up in Niagara Falls, where he currently resides with his wife and four children.