slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Anne Blocker; Candler NC...from Reminisce Magazine.

Everybody was optimistic in 1945, sure that the war was coming to an end. Mother started making plans for the day when she received a notice that Dad, 1st Lt. Henry E. Cochran, would be coming home. A big all-day celebration would take place with family and friends.

I have several letters sent from Dad to us and other family members and have selected excerpts from two of them.

February 10, 1945: Dad wrote his mother from Germany...

'Dear Mamma, just a few lines to let you know I'm all right. Hope you're getting along fine. From the letters from Margaret (my mom) Little Anne (me) is getting too be quite a little lady now. It'll be a wonderful day when we can all come back home. The situation looks pretty good, but honestly, it seems like this thing will never end. We've been expecting it lately, but it looks as though we're going to have to fight for every foot of Germany. Well...we can do it, but it might be costly. I heard from Lewis (Dad's brother, also in the Army, stationed in France) and I hope we can get together before too much longer.'

February 14, 1945: Dad wrote Mother's parents fro Germany...

'Dear Folks, I'm really sorry about not writing sooner, but a poor GI is kept pretty busy over here. There is much I want to say that I can't find the words to express. It's bad enough to be so far away from Margaret and Anne, but if I had the worries some of these men have, I guess I would go crazy. You are so swell to take care of them for me, and I am proud of the fact that I have the finest wife and baby in the whole world. We are sure it won't be long now, and we will be coming home. I want to take care of you both the way you have my wonderful family.'

On March 2, 1945, as Dad walked down a street in Dusseldorf, a sniper shot from an apartment window and k**led him. Suddenly, our merry plans for a homecoming turned into a grief-stricken time of mourning. Dad was buried in Holland.

EN Submarine Qualified Loc: Wisconsin East coast

Oh My God! I am so sorry. May he forever Rest In Peace and may you find solace in understanding what he was doing for the USA and us.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Those are probably closest to my thoughts upon initially reading Mrs. Blocker's account.

badbobby Loc: texas

Im June 1944,the allied forces invaded N**i-occupied France
The invasion marked the beginning of the end of WW2
Less than a year later the war was over.The allies had won.
But many more American,British,and Canadian lives were lost before the end
General Dwight B Eisenhower said to the troops before the invasion
"Your task will not be an easy one.your enemy is well equipped and battle trained
he will fight savagely"
and the Germans did fight savagely
God bless our fallen heroes ,who gave their all for their country
and God bless those they left behind

teabag09

For them and all who gave their all after them. And especially remember the families. GOD bless you. Mike

teabag09

Slatten, I h**e you, you keep bringing tears. Thanks!

EN Submarine Qualified Loc: Wisconsin East coast

You should have seen me when I first read this.
Anne Blocker; Candler NC...from Reminisce Magazine.
And again when trying to explain it to the wife.

teabag09

They can' understand. Mike

teabag09

And I thank GOD they can't. Wouldn't want that burden on what they already have on their plates. That is our job. Mike