A sizable crowd with several veterans in attendance watched the city of Philomath officially celebrate the opening of Paul J. Cochran Veterans Memorial Park Saturday morning on the corner of College and North 16th streets.
The special program featured a remembrance of the park’s namesake, the presentation of bronze service medals to Vietnam War veterans, dedication of a Rotary peace pole and a ribbon-cutting ceremony that featured Cochran’s sister, Shane Fritz.
Gallery: Paul J. Cochran Veterans Memorial Park Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony (Nov. 9, 2024)
A collection of photos from the Paul J. Cochran Veterans Memorial Park Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on Saturday.
Former Mayor Eric Niemann volunteered countless hours to see through a project that started more than five years ago when the estate of the late Beverly Durham contacted the city about transferring ownership of the lot, which is approximately one-eighth of an acre in size. The gift did come with conditions, including that it would serve as a memorial to Paul Jefferey Cochran, the son that she lost in Vietnam in 1968.
“The property was donated in February of 2019 and here we are five years later delivering on mom’s promise of the park that she gave us,” Niemann said. “It’s a very good feeling.”
Fritz, who came to Philomath from Stayton to attend the ceremony, called the moment “bittersweet.”
“Seeing my mom’s wishes come to fruition is really wonderful,” she said. “It wasn’t quite what she envisioned but it doesn’t matter because the needs of the community were met and I know that it’s appreciated by all the people that come here and use it.”
Cochran moved to Philomath during the summer of 1964. He spent his junior and senior years at Philomath High School and was among 72 graduates in the Class of 1966. Cochran lived in the home at North 16th and College with his grandparents.
In November 1966, Cochran enlisted in the U.S. Army and 18 months later, he was killed in action at age 20 while serving with the 101st Airborne Division “Screaming Eagles.” Durham later came into possession of the home.
“The rest of the family and I are so incredibly grateful to the city of Philomath for their cooperation and especially to former Mayor Niemann for everything he’s done to not only help make this possible and follow through but all he’s done with many kind gestures to make everything extra special along the way,” Fritz said.
Niemann developed a strong connection to Cochran’s family.
“I’ve texted with them and communicated with them and met with them on multiple occasions over that five-year period,” he said.
Niemann shared Cochran’s background and the story of how the park came into existence during the program’s opening remarks. City Manager Chris Workman held up a banner in memory of Durham and Assistant City Manager Chelsea Starner displayed one that honored Cochran.
Philomath’s incoming mayor, Christopher McMorran, led off the event with a welcome. Boy Scouts Troop 161 followed with a flag-raising ceremony and when they were in place, trumpeter Ken Saul played the National Anthem. The U.S. flag, state of Oregon flag and the POW/MIA flag flew on three poles located behind three granite columns.
The Northwest Scots Honor Guard presented the Bronze Eagle Medal to several Vietnam War veterans or family members who were in attendance. Marine Corps veteran Danny Miller was among them. He said the park’s establishment is far removed from what many Vietnam veterans experienced back in the 1960s and 1970s.
“We never got anything like this when we came back, not even close, not even close,” Miller said, who mentioned the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., as a place that “proves the North Vietnamese army was for real and they knew what they were doing.”
Miller, who moved to Philomath 3-1/2 years ago, was among those who volunteered to help clear off the property to prepare for the park’s eventual construction. It was then when he learned all about Cochran and his mother.
“I think this is amazing,” he said of the new park. “All of us veterans, we really appreciate this. It just means a lot to us, it really does. It’s hard to even put into words, actually, but it just means a lot.”
The Northwest Scots Honor Guard presents the medals individually at various veteran events in the region. The U.S. Department of Defense minted the Bronze Eagle Medal in 2012 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
Also part of the event was City Councilor Matt Lehman’s reading of the Philomath’s Veterans Day proclamation, a moment of recognition of all veterans in attendance and the peace pole dedication, led by Rotary Club President and U.S. Navy veteran Dan Dusek.
For city officials involved with the park project, it’s been a long time coming to reach a day of celebration with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The granite columns were installed at the park earlier in the week — a particular feature that had been several months overdue from the original estimates and when they could be delivered and set up.
Columns on each end read, “No Philomath veteran will ever be forgotten” and “All gave some, some gave all.” A column in the middle displays the official seals of the Marine Corps, Navy, Army, Coast Guard, Air Force and Space Force.
Two features of the park that have not yet been added include a gazebo that will be situated in an area between the columns and the playground and a bike rack, similar to the new ones seen downtown.
“Like any other park, Public Works is on these year round and so they’ll continue to maintain and look for ways to upgrade,” Workman said. “We’ll keep an eye on the landscaping and change things as needed but mostly it’s kind of in the maintenance phase at this point.”
Workman said it was important for the city to host the ribbon-cutting event to “express appreciation for all of the people and work that’s gone into it … and just come together as a community and recognize that there’s a lot of great things happening in Philomath. It’s just a terrific asset and addition to the community.”
Niemann, himself a veteran of the U.S. Army, said he’s heard a lot of good things from folks in the community.
“I’ve just received so much positive feedback from young families that come here and enjoy the park, the sentimental significance of the park, other people that have watched the park come about,” he said. “So it’s been very heartwarming to see all that come together.”