Coggin, Roy, MSgt

Retired USAF Master Sergeant, Roy G. Coggin, age 69, passed into heaven on Monday, January 30, 2017 at his home in Cooper City, FL after a long battle with health problems. 

Roy is survived by his wife, Barbara Ammann and three children:  Sean Coggin of Union City, PA; Noel Coggin of Lakebay, WA and Ian Brooks of Santa Maria, CA.  He also leaves behind seven grandchildren:  Devon Coggin, Brandon Coggin, Arianna Brooks, Keara Brooks, Jonathan Brooks and Rylee Coggin.  He is also survived by his sister Andrea McQuain of Fort Collins, CO and two brothers, Bruce Coggin of Lompac, CA and Robert Coggin of Algona, WA.

Roy was born on December 26, 1947 at Eglin Air Force Base and is the oldest son of the late Colonel Roy J. Coggin and Francis Coggin.  He attended Robert E. Lee High School in Springfield, VA and participated in track and field and was in an Acapella Choir.  He graduated from General H.H. Arnold High School in Wiesbaden, Germany in 1967.

Roy enlisted into the United States Air Force in May of 1969 and was a supply specialist.  Roy is a veteran of both Vietnam and Operation Desert Shield.  His medals include the Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Air Force Achievement Medal.  His last assignment before retiring in 1989 was to McDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL where he served as Chief of Supply for Headquarters Central Command.  He served 20 years with distinction.  The discipline and patriotism he learned from the Air Force never left him, as friends and family will attest. 

A memorial service will be held this Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 3 pm at New Horizon United Methodist Church in Southwest Ranches, FL.  A full military honors ceremony will be held at the National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL on Monday, February 27, 2017.

If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't;
If you'd like to win but you think you can't,
You can almost be certain you won't,
If you think that you'll lose, you are lost,
For out in the world you will find
Success begins with a person's will;
It's all in the state of the mind.
If you think you're outclassed you are;
You've got to think high to rise.
You've just got to be sure of yourself
Before you can win the prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To a stronger or faster man;
But sooner or later the person who wins

Is the person that THINKS they can.

I grew up in the USAF and lived all over the world as either a dependent or on active duty. When we were in Nebraska, I saw the 1st KC-135 the AF received land at Offutt. Looking back, I couldn't have had it any better...just wish I have known that when I was younger..

With the exception of the Gettysburg Address by President Lincoln, this is from the greatest speech ever given by a president:

Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans -- born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

This much we pledge -- and more.

This is why we fight in places like Vietnam and Iraq.