Sgt. Jason Cook (KIA)

(reprinted from KAPPTV.com, August 25,  2004)

Marine With Ties to Yakima Dies
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A Marine from Okanogan with ties to Yakima died in Iraq. Sergeant Jason Cook was killed in action in the Al-Anbar province which is west of Karbala. Military officials are saying he died in an explosion. He leaves behind a wife of two years. For the time Yovana Cook was living at camp Penelton in California. When she found out about her husband's death she came to Yakima to be with her in-laws. Flowers poured into the home from people offering sympathy. "The relationship we had was almost perfect," says Yovana. They met in Bogota, Colombia. He was stationed there guarding the American embassy. They dated for a year, then married. Yovana says Jason was dedicated and hard-working. Jason was so in love with his wife he named his military vehicle after her. There will be a funeral service at first Presbyterian church in Yakima at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.