My name is Mike Rocco Howard, but you may know me better as,

“Coop & Mike” from TikTok & Instagram

I am a Marine Corps Combat Veteran, Honorably Discharged just shy of my 8th year on active duty back in 2011. After being discharged, I didn’t start recognizing something was wrong until a full year had passed. I was addicted to Oxycodone & OxyContin, provided to me by my Dr.’s at the time for the pain associated with a back injury I suffered in Iraq in 2005… I also suffered with PTSD symptoms; anxiety, panic, horrible nightmares, and terrible isolation… In 2017 I finally took a long look in the mirror and decided to get sober; although I had done tremendous amounts of work to earn my sobriety; I was now feeling the FULL weight of my PTSD symptoms, as the pain killers I was addicted to previously, had completely numbed me both mentally and emotionally, as well as physically, (as that’s what all they were intended to do but they instead numbed every part of me). In 2020 everything came to a head in a meeting with my boss at the time, confronting me about how often I was leaving my office to go outside and sit in my truck… I came clean and told him the truth, “it’s because I cannot sit there and feel what I’m feeling; high anxiety and panic from my PTSD; so I go out to my truck to listen to music and calm me down”… Later that night I saw a documentary on Netflix all about PTSD Service Dogs for Veterans… Fast forward later that year and I met Cooper through a Philadelphia-based Veteran Service Dog Organization called Alpha Bravo Canine.

After getting Cooper in August 2020; those close to me saw the changes in me, the lack of isolation, the smile I regained, the light I brought into every room; so many urged me to share my story on social media to help other Veterans that were currently dealing with similar issues that I had recently fought through… So I decided to do just that and launched our “Coop & Mike” profiles on different platforms… And the rest as they say, is history… But here we are 4 years later and still growing, and again at the urging of those around me we are taking another leap… With the tremendous help from the Veteran Community I hold so dear, and individuals like my sister Lita, we are launching the “Coop & Mike” collection merch line…

The funds from the sales of this merchandise will 100% be towards our fight against the 22 A Day and to support those they leave behind; the Green Star Families.

Cooper  & I have delivered nearly 20 Til Valhalla Project Memorial Plaques all over the country to the families of Fallen Heroes. This is all done on a volunteer basis as I am not a TVP employee, but rather a volunteer Legacy Guardian; and although I do have a close relationship with their founder and CEO, Korey Shaffer, I will always assume responsibility for the Honor to recognize these Families and remind them we NEVER FORGET.

 With the growth of the Coop & Mike pages, we have been directly requested to be the Legacy Guardians, for several Memorial Plaque applicants from literally all over the country. A portion of the funds from the Coop & Mike Collection will enable Coop & I to hopefully never have to turn down a plaque delivery for which we’ve been requested, as each trip, no matter the destination of its delivery, is paid for out of my own pocket. We’d like to me able to commit to any family that requests us no matter the distance.

Additionally, the ultimate goal of “Coop & Mike” is to one day have two separate retreats; 1. A beach house, 2. A mountain house; with which to host not only Veterans throughout the year, but also their families’; I.e. Gold & Green Star Families. Our vision is to one day be able to host different groups of families during certain months, to connect with and heal with others facing the same tragedy they themselves have faced; the loss of their respective Veteran or Service Member.

 It means a great deal to me to never allow these families to believe we have forgotten their Fallen Heroes, their service, their sacrifices, or their loss… With that vision in mind, I will be working to gain a Non Profit and potentially begin this with AirBnB rentals throughout the year, until such a time where we may be able to afford renting or purchasing our own properties ti truly bring this vision to life.

At the end of the day, Impacting 22 A Day, inspiring other Veterans to continue, reminding the families of the Fallen that we will never forget, and aiding all of them, (Veterans & the Gold & Green Star Families), in their HEALING, through human connection is truly what “Coop & Mike’s CONNECTING TO CONTINUE ; “ is ALL ABOUT.

 We greatly appreciate you for your contribution to our fight; I don’t know where this road is headed, but I’m sure blessed to be on it and we’re going to continue to spread our light in the darkness! Please come shine with us! God bless you and yours,

THANK YOU, & SEMPER AVANTI, (ALWAYS FORWARD)!