2022 Lorain High graduate returns home from Air Force to surprise younger brother at school
LORAIN –Jacob Cook will tell anyone he loves his life as an Air Force AC-130 crew chief.Since graduating from Lorain High School nearly a year ago, Cook has been stationed in San Antonio and Wichita Falls, Texas, and on March 18, he will call the Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico home.
He also has another love: younger brother Dominic Silva, a junior at Lorain High School.
Thursday morning, the two brothers reunited for the first time in months after Cook surprised his brother during Dominic’s American Government class.
“It really is hard to be away,” Cook said moments before the surprise reunion. “We are really close, and he is getting big. He is working now and is almost a senior in high school. I know it has only been a year since I graduated, but I feel like I missed a lot.”
Dominic, who was in the middle of a lesson on the 14th Amendment when he turned to the door and saw his brother walk in, said he couldn’t believe his brother was finally home – albeit for a short stint this time.
“I am overwhelmed,” he said. “I was just talking about him the other day.”
Teacher Roe Pagan said Dominic would share pictures of his brother, who came dressed in Air Force fatigues and spoke a lot about him.
With a captive audience and a few moments before bell change, Cook answered questions for other students in Roe’s class, encouraging them to consider joining the Air Force if they were unsure about plans after high school.
“The benefits are great,” he said. “Free college, and you can travel the world for free.”
Dominic is unsure about following in his brother’s footsteps as he is a Young Scholar with plans to attend The Ohio State University after graduation.
In addition, Cook spoke to members of the Lorain High JROTC. When asked why he decided to do an impromptu visit just one day after returning to the Buckeye State, Cook said he hoped it would be a lasting memory for his brother.
The two brothers said they plan to spend as much time together as possible in the next two weeks.
“It definitely feels good to be home,” Cook said.