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"The first Navy Veterans' Organization
created on, and for, the World Wide Web."
Founder
Edward C. Reese,
US Navy, Retired
Honoring
your past . . . Reminding your children
The
Navy Biography Site
Stephen J. Cook
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Plank Owner Member
Navy Veterans of the USA
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Stephen J. Cook
MM2(SW), USN
10411 North Forest Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64155
stephenjcook@gmail.com
(816) 734-9981
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Born in the mountains of North Carolina and raised in
southeast Virginia (Norfolk, then Virginia Beach). 1981 graduate of Green
Run High School. Joined US Navy in August 1983, going to Great Lakes for
boot camp, and for "A" School. After unsuccessful effort in Nuclear Power
School (there is a story behind that), reported to USS Belknap CG-26 in
October of 1984. Home ported in Norfolk, VA, operated primarily off of
the coast of Virginia/North Carolina until mid-1985. Then went into Portsmouth
Naval Shipyard for a one year conversion to flag ship, then reported to
Gaeta, Italy to become Sixth Fleet Flagship. While ported in Gaeta, visited
many countries/points of interest. Most notable of these are: Haifa, Israel
(included tour of Holy Land-Jerusalem, Bethlehem, with an overnight in
Tel-Aviv); Athens, Greece (with a visit to the Acropolis); Nice, France
(great place to be during `Carnivale'); Palma de Mallorca, Spain (great
place to party); Rome/Naples, Italy (a natural-Gaeta is located between
these two cities); and Geneva, Switzerland (a most beautiful city). Mid-
1988, reported to USS Lawrence DDG-4, home ported in Norfolk, Virginia.
In May 1989, began Mediterranean/Indian Ocean Cruise. Visited Malaga, Spain;
Ibiza, Spain; Izmir, Turkey; and Diego Garcia during my final two months
on board (the first two months of this Med/IO Cruise). Along the way, traveled
throughthe Suez Canal and crossed the equator (and was initiated as Shellback).
Left active duty on July 26, 1989. January of 1990, joined US Naval Reserves.
Spent four fairly uneventful years in this duty (stayed home during the
Gulf War). Spent the following years (from 1989 until March 2002) as an
Industrial Mechanic for a variety of companies, to include: Black &
Decker, Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock, Norshipco, Bethlehem Steel
Shipyard and GST Steel, Co. In March 2002, went on full disability with
Veteran's Administration due to a back injury suffered aboard USS Belknap
in 1985. Married in May, 1998 to Christina Marie Hill Afrisio. I am stepfather
to three children (Anthony, Janina, and Elizabeth Afrisio) and have two
children with Christina (Mary and Olivia Cook).
Am Executive Director for the National
Combat Medical Memorial &
Youth
Education Center, Inc, an organization whose purpose is to honor all
military medical personnel that have served all branches of the military
during all periods of conflict.
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