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'You gotta have a garbage man' Navy veteran provides for family with garbage route, receives company bonuses for work

Harry Cooper III served for eight years in the U.S. Navy through the Gulf War and in multiple countries. Now, he prides himself on the route he works in Deerwood.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Driving a garbage route is not something Harry Cooper III envisioned for himself at a young age, but now he prides himself on the work he does and has received large company bonuses for it.

Cooper served eight years in the U.S. Navy. He was an aircraft director on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk and he served in the Gulf War. Cooper has been to countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Singapore, China, Mexico and Japan.

Now, as a driver for Waste Pro Jacksonville, Cooper said his new calling is not only rewarding but provides for his family.

"Doctors, lawyers, nurses, you gotta have 'em," Cooper said. "You gotta have a garbage man."

When he left the military, Cooper said he originally had a hard time finding a job. 

"All the job opportunities they say are out there, and people hiring veterans, it's not really the case," Cooper said. "You have to get out and compete with everybody else."

During his time at Waste Pro, Cooper has won two $10,000 bonuses for his safety and performance.

"I don't even think about it," Cooper said. "I just do the little stuff every day and before you know it the time is up and you get it again." 

Working the same route and picking up garbage in the neighborhood has led to connections with residents, Cooper said. 

"I take care of a lot of the disabled people, as far as people who can't bring the cans out to the curb," Cooper said. "I walk out to their house and make sure I put it back where I got it from. That's the most rewarding part."

Cooper said the job is what someone makes of it, but that treating people how you want to be treated should always come first.

"I'll probably do this until I decide to retire," Cooper said.

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