Rockford Soldier promoted to Colonel

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (10/20/2015)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Stephen Cooper of Rockford, Illinois, assigned to Illinois Army National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters based in Springfield, Illinois was promoted to the rank of colonel during a ceremony at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois, Oct. 17.

Cooper has more than 27 years of military service. He has served in the active Army, the Illinois Air National Guard, the Illinois Army National guard, and the North Dakota Army National Guard.

Cooper's current assignment is Command Staff Chaplain as well as the Senior Army Chaplain for the ILARNG. As the command chaplain, he is responsible for tending to the religious and moral well-being of service members and their families. His responsibilities include everything from performing religious rights and conducting worship services to providing confidential counseling and advising commanders on religious, spiritual and moral matters.

Cooper deployed to Balad, Iraq from 2004 to 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Battalion Chaplain of the 1/142nd Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Battalion for the New York Army National Guard.

His awards include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation medal, Army Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Abraham Lincoln Medal of Freedom.

Cooper is married to his wife, Renee, and they have one son, Caleb, and four daughters; Hannah, Bethany, Phoebe and Hadassah.

Photo Cutline 1: Brig. Gen. Michael Zerbonia, Assistant Adjutant General-Army of the Illinois National Guard promotes Stephen Cooper of Rockford, Illinois, assigned to Illinois Army National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters based in Springfield, Illinois to the rank of colonel during a ceremony at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois, Oct. 17. Cooper is the Command Staff Chaplain and Senior Army Chaplain for the Illinois Army National Guard. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Robert R. Adams)

Photo Cutline 2: Stephen Cooper of Rockford, Illinois, assigned to Illinois Army National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters based in Springfield, Illinois takes a few minutes to thank his coworkers and family after he was promoted to the rank of colonel during a ceremony at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois, Oct. 17. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Robert R. Adams)