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At the crowded Waffle House on Airline Drive, there's an empty chair these days.

Barksdale B-52 pilot Major Chris Cooper was a regular customer.

Ann Smith manages the Waffle House. She says Cooper got to know the waitresses and they got to know him.

Now, they've created an imromptu memorial to their friend.

"He was like a part of us.  And this is very special for him. It's for everyone, but it's especially for Chris," says Smith.

Smith says Cooper told them he was going to Guam and would be back in October.

A memorial mass will be held Saturday for Cooper.

It starts at 9 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church at 3800 Viking Drive in Bossier.