posted Jul 1, 2008 - 11:17:21am
Twin brothers Dan and Tim De Koeyer have been police officers for the City of DeLand since 2006.
"At age 22, they are committed to serving and protecting the community of DeLand," their mom, Patty De Koeyer, said.
This fall, the De Koeyer twins will fulfill another commitment to service. In August, they will travel to Bagram, Afghanistan, trading their DeLand Police Department uniforms for those of military police sergeants with the Army National Guard.
For 15 months, Dan and Tim will assist with convoy security, law and order on the bases, detainee operations, and other responsibilities.
The De Koeyer twins are not nervous about leaving home to serve in the Middle East.
"I am more nervous about leaving behind family and friends," Dan De Koeyer said. "It is always hard to say goodbye."
Before graduating from DeLand High School, the De Koeyer twins attended boot camp, just after their junior year. They have been Guardsmen since 2002, serving in the aftermath of hurricanes and other disasters in Florida, Georgia and Mississippi.
Traditionally, the U.S. military does not deploy two men from the same family to the same location at the same time. The decision, however, is ultimately left up to the enlisted person.
"We are supportive of what they want to do. They have always followed each other," Patty De Koeyer said. "Their bond is one of true unity, both volunteering together to protect our country and assist their fellow servicemen."
Faith in God is a universal theme in the De Koeyer family, producing both courage and the devotion to service.
"This is just one of the times in my life where I place my trust in God, " the boys' father, Drew De Koeyer, said.
Drew De Koeyer served with the U.S. Navy Sea Bees.
"I'm very proud of the decision the boys have made to serve," he said.
"They are in God's hands, " his wife added.
The twins have a younger sister, Sarah, who is 20, and a younger brother, Keith, who is 16.
"We are inspired by our family, our parents, especially," Dan De Koeyer said. They "always forced us to exceed in everything we did, and never let us quit."
The De Koeyers went on military leave from the DeLand Police Department May 20, and are scheduled to return to their jobs in June 2009.
"They are high-valued employees who have done a wonderful job for the city," DeLand Police Chief Ed Overman said. "They will be missed, and it is our hope that they return safely. Their spots will remain open until they return home."
Longtime members of the West Volusia community, the De Koeyer twins have been involved, for most of their lives, at First Assembly-DeLand.
"They have always had a heart to serve humanity," said First Assembly Pastor Michael Modica, who also serves as a chaplain for the DeLand Police Department. "I have known the boys for 15 years. They have always been very active in the church community, helping others and serving as Royal Rangers, the church scouting program. We know they will let their light shine and will encourage the other troops."
Dan and Tim De Koeyer find strength in the memory of their close friend, Wayne Koester, an officer with the Umatilla Police Department. Koester served alongside the De Koeyers in DeLand's Florida Army National Guard unit, and was killed in the line of duty in early 2005.
"Wayne always encouraged us to get into law enforcement," Dan De Koeyer said. "He was a genuine person who always put others before himself and loved to serve his country and community."
A part of West Volusia will travel with the twins to Afghanistan.
"The church is covering them with prayer," Pastor Modica said.
Dad's statement
Drew De Koeyer, father of twins Dan and Tim, shared this statement about his sons going off to war:
"I know there are those who are questioning the boys' decision to go serve their country and fellow soldiers, placing themselves at risk in Afghanistan. But, there are some things that gnaw at a man more than the fear of dying.
"You must remember, the boys are temporarily leaving a job with the DeLand Police Department, where they serve the community and place themselves at risk daily, with many in the community who couldn't care less. Some even abuse our officers for upholding the law, but it has to be done.
"John F. Kennedy said, 'Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.' The boys made a brave decision, and it's a perfect example of what President Kennedy was talking about.
"To those who say they would not send their sons or daughters to possibly die for people who couldn't care less: Well, that's contrary to what God has done. He sent his son Jesus Christ to die for us when we couldn't care less. So, we don't always know what is best, do we?
"You know, when the boys were babies, their mother and I placed the boys in God's hands and said, 'God, they're yours; your will be done done in their life.' And, I know that everything that happens to us in this life is controlled by God, good and evil, he is the creator. His plans and his will come to pass even if we don't understand it.
"So, this is just one of the times in my life where I place my trust in God, and I'm very proud of the decision the boys have made to serve."
— Drew De Koeyer
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We all are very proud of you. Im going to miss you so much!! Just remember that there are many people who are here praying for you guys. Thanks for all you do. Can not wait for your safe return. I love you!!!
Love your lil sis
Dennis, Anna and Alia Corgan
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