COMBAT COOKIES

The Cody Cookie is the most special cookie we make. This cookie is named after Cpl Cody Putman who was killed in action in Iraq on April 12, 2007. Cody was a family friend. We give tribute to him and his family for the ultimate sacrifice. Please think of Cody as you are enjoying this cookie. His mother told us that Oreo was Cody's favorite cookie so we infused crushed Oreos into a chocolate chip cookie base. 

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CPL Cody A. Putman – Cody was born on August 31, 1984.  From the moment he could hold a ball in his little hands he was hooked.  He loved sports.  He was a very talented athlete.  During his childhood in Lafayette he was involved in baseball, basketball and football in the East Tipp area.  He played his high school sports in Monticello.  He was a 2003 graduate of Twin Lakes High School.

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Cody married his high school sweetheart, Mollie Grist, in September 2006.  They have a beautiful daughter, Madelyn.  It was a small wedding that joined the three of them together as a family.  This was a dream of Cody’s.  He wanted to take care of his girls.  That dream became a reality.

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Cody was one of three children and the youngest.  As his older brother, Harry (Bubba) reminded him often by nicknaming him “Peck.”  When Cody was younger, he was a small boy.  Always smaller than the other kids his age, but he was a just a late bloomer.  He grew to about 6 feet tall and his military weight was 185lbs.  The Army put about 25 to 30 pounds of muscle on him. He was always very strong and muscular but the military made him physically and mentally stronger.  His sister, Tiffany, would always try to wrestle with her brothers and would end up crying for mom.  There was a special closeness with this siblings.  They all loved each other very much.  He loved his nieces and nephews.  They were all very special to him, especially Cidnei.  She held a very special place in Uncle Cody’s heart.

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Cody joined the US Army in March of 2005.  He went through basic training and AIT at Fort Knox, KY and airborne school in Fort Benning, GA.  His permanent duty station was at Fort Richardson, Alaska.  The Army was a new team to Cody.  He quickly excelled at all he did.  He became a leader and his superiors recognized and acknowledged his talents and did all they could to encourage him to be the best he could be.  He was becoming a great man.

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Cody had the extraordinary talent of being able to see the big picture in life.  Whether it was a football field or a mission field in Iraq, he was able to see more that his assigned position and was able to help the entire team and get the job done.  He would have been a great coach or an outstanding General.  He was a natural leader and the military instilled that confidence in him.  More than a mother could.

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Cody’s life was a love story.  He loved and was loved by all of his family and friends.  We are so very proud of him and his many accomplishments.  He will forever be in our hearts

My dad, Victor D. Doucleff, was born in Peoria, Illinois in 1921 to immigrant parents, Dine and Georgia Mitsareff Doucleff, from what is now known as Northern Macedonia. His family moved around a bit and ended up living in Granite City during his
school years and early adulthood. 

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When WW II broke out, he was called upon to serve his country. And so, he did. He served for two years and participated in many battles and campaigns earning him several decorations and citations. Among them Good Conduct Medal, World War II
Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, European African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, Silver Batter Star, 1 Service Stripe and 4 Overseas Service Bars.

November 1945, he returned home and began a new chapter in his life. He married my mother, Rita Mae O’Connell, in June of 1952, Over the next several years five children were born, four sons and one daughter, me.

There are many stories which could be told about his life and the things he accomplished. However, the main story was about his love for my mother and all of us kids. He worked hard, provided a safe and happy home, coached little league baseball
for years, saw his children married and several grandchildren born.

So much of the information we know about my dad’s military history was discovered long after he died in 1989. Going through the family home and getting it ready to sell, I found an envelope at

the bottom of a dresser drawer with the bits of information we know. I had and still have so many questions to ask him. Why did you not tell us about your service to our country? Why did you not show us the medals you received? Why did you not stay in the military once you returned home in 1945?

I will never know the answers to those questions. What I do know is he must have been very proud of his service for having kept this envelope safe the rest of his life.

Dane Gregory Northcutt graduated from Jefferson High School in May 2017, ready to chase his dreams with determination and heart. On September 26 of that year, he left for basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. After completing basic training on December 7, 2017, he advanced to specialized instruction, graduating on May 11, 2018, as a 15T—Blackhawk Repairer. The very next day, he was stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, where he served with pride until his honorable and medical discharge on June 29, 2019.

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Following his military service, Dane continued his commitment to public service as a deputy at the Carroll County Jail in Indiana. On January 29, 2022, while riding along with a fellow deputy en route to assist with a call in Clinton County, Dane tragically lost his life in a car accident. He was living out his lifelong dream of working in law enforcement—a calling he pursued with passion and integrity.

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Dane’s presence lit up every room he entered. He had a gift for turning strangers into friends and a heart that gave freely to anyone in need. He found joy in the simple things: fishing, hunting, tractor pulls, tossing a frisbee with his beloved dog Nani, gaming, and spending time with his friends. He especially cherished working on cars with his dad and papa, bonding over tools and engines.

His family and friends will forever miss his infectious laugh, his quick wit, and the warmth of his legendary bear hugs. Dane was selfless, spirited, and deeply loved—a man who lived to serve, connect, and uplift those around him.

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Dane’s family carries his memory with deep love and devotion, weaving it into the fabric of their daily lives. Everything they do is a tribute to the joy he brought them.

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Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen

Sgt. James Sell of Goodland, Indiana was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic service during World War II as part of the 38th Infantry Division, known as the “Cyclone Division.” This decorated unit landed on Luzon and fought to liberate the island from Japanese forces, earning the name “Avengers of Bataan.”

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During the division’s grueling 16-day battle for Zig Zag Pass, east of Olongapo, he displayed extraordinary bravery. On February 10, 1945, he and another enlisted soldier volunteered—without regard for their own safety—to rescue a wounded comrade from an area under relentless sniper and machine gun fire. Navigating burning woods and hostile terrain, the pair succeeded where regular litter bearers could not, completing their mission under extreme danger. Sgt Sell suffered from extreme burns to his feet due to the rescue mission, but did not allow his injuries to slow him down.

That courage defined his time overseas. As an assistant squad leader in Company F, 152nd Infantry, he spent 18 months in active service beyond American shores, having previously served in Hawaii, New Guinea, and Leyte—key fronts of the Pacific campaign.

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Born in 1919 and passing away in 1985, his story endures. He was a man of quiet strength and unwavering duty, embodying the resilience and honor of a generation that faced war with unflinching resolve. His legacy endures—not only in the memory of his courageous service, but also in the lives of those who carry his name forward. Among them is his granddaughter, Brandi (Sell) Bass, founder of Combat Cookies, who remains proud to share his lineage and honor his story.

Born October 25, 1942 – Huntsville, Alabama

United States Army Service: September 7, 1967 – January 30, 1990

MSgt McWilliams dedicated 23 years to the U.S. Army, serving 17 years with the elite 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and 5 years with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His overseas service spanned Vietnam,
Korea, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Holland, Greece, Thailand, and beyond.

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• Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device and First Oak Leaf Cluster Recipient

• Meritorious Service Medal Recipient

 

He was a man of valor.
A man of honor who lived by a code.
A man of sacrifice.
A father figure.

He led by example. Even in retirement, he followed a disciplined daily routine as if he were still on duty. He never boasted, never bragged, and rarely spoke of Vietnam—except with trusted brothers-in-arms.
I would give anything to sit with him again, to ask how he endured, how he overcame.

Thank you, MSgt Clarence McWilliams, for all that you have done—and for all that lives on through those who carry your legacy. Thank you for your influence on me choosing the military as a way of life. Though you left this earth on December 26, 2009, your spirit remains ever-present in
life’s daily battles. Until we meet again…..

John 15:13

We’re creating a new board to spotlight five individuals or groups who embody a love for our country—and we’d be proud to include your patriot.

Military service is not required. We welcome anyone who shows heart, dedication, and pride in America—whether through community service, education, activism, or everyday acts of patriotism.

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Your honoree can be one person or a group. If someone comes to mind, reach out for details—we’d love to hear their story.

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Your donation secures your space—and helps save the home of Combat Cookies.

Every contribution goes directly to our building fund, supporting the future of our mission and preserving the place where it all began.