THE WALL OF FACES

First Lieutenant John Floyd Cochrane, Served with the 409th Radio Research Detachment, 303rd Radio Research Battalion, 509th Army Security Agency Group, Army Security Agency, United States Army Vietnam.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from those who served with you are touching and attest to their admiration and respect for you. May you rest in eternal peace.

The school picture for John Cochrane is from his senior year at Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn, Michigan in 1960. Help with the photo came from Nancy Horvath Martinsen and other classmates and friends of John's at Edsel Ford. He is still remembered and missed by his class.

Dear Lt John Cochrane,
Thank you for your service as a Signal Security Officer. December is here, along with all the preparations. It is almost Christmas. It is so important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

The Price of Freedom

My wounds flush with blood and bone, I struggle through the shot and fire.
Their cries of pain and death sounded above the mortar and artillery fire.
As I crawl wounded, shattered and scared beyond fear into the night.
They shouted frantically, “Tell the rest of our sacrifice and how bravely we fought in this place with no name, or mark upon the map.
Was not to be my grave.
To place their names upon the rolls of the sacrificed,
Was to be my task in life.
The guns silent, the jungle still,
They are forever in that stiffing nameless hell.
The days and nights past more times than I could count,
With only the name of those left behind upon my lips.
I struggled and staggered through the mud and rain.
Carrying their pain and names forever.
Each stream and hill I crawled, I gave their names;
to this place with no name, or mark upon the map.
Old and gray standing before the granite wall each Independence and Veterans Day, I proudly call their names.
As my time is short, they gather about with smiles and laughter in their eyes,
Beckoning me once again to nameless places.