NEW YORK – Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will appear on prime time to thank a disabled Gulf War veteran for his service.
Powell will be shown meeting with former Army combat medic Jeff Cooper and his family as part of an episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" airing in May.
Cooper, of Jamesville, N.C. suffers from multiple sclerosis, immune disorders, a collection of symptoms commonly called Gulf War illness and is confined to a wheelchair.
Despite his pain, Cooper devotes his time to making sure veterans are recognized and has lobbied to have all vets who served in the Gulf War get a special license plate of recognition.
The Cooper family is shown living in a decaying mobile home with bad electrical wiring, a sinking roof, and a rotting wheelchair ramp. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" decides to rebuild their home in just a week.
The Coopers are then sent on vacation to Washington, D.C., where they meet with Powell, who presents Cooper with a gift.