It is with great sadness that we inform you that Junot Cochilus, Co-founder of HOF and dear friend, has passed away.
Junot, a Haitian-American, served in the US Army and was finishing a tour in Afghanistan. On May 2nd, Spc. Junot Cochilus (along with Lt. David Rylander) died in Logar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. Junot was assigned to the 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
If you did not know Junot, let me share a little about the incredible man who helped make Haiti Orphan Foundation possible…
I first met Junot one week after the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010. He was one of an eight man team who traveled to Haiti as a relief team. After working shoulder to shoulder with the man in the ravaged and desperate tent cities of Port au Prince, Haiti I came to know a remarkable man. One truly felt blessed after having met Junot Cochilus. He was a Haitian American soldier, an endearing friend to many, husband, father, big brother ( to those blood related or not ), philanthropist / genuine giver, strong advocate for kids but most of all a devout servant to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Junot was the spark behind the formation of the Haiti Orphan Foundation. A non-profit organization dedicated to the humanitarian, financial, educational and spiritual well being of vulnerable children of Haiti. After the earthquake we all shared Junot’s love for his native country and felt a devine calling to do more. For if it weren’t for Junot’s connections, love for children and passion to dream big, HOF would have never been formed. We owe so much to him and his vision God gave him.
I have seen Junot’s heart reach all walks of life. From the pagan voodoo doctor he ministered and showed love for, to the desperate and homeless, to the orphaned and ill children, to strangers needing money or a shoulder to cry on, Junot was there. I will miss my friend. I will miss him very much. I am only sad for myself however; for I know my brother is home. Thanks for listening. We should thank all of those who fight for our freedom. To me they all are our heroes. May we celebrate them all.
God Bless,
Bruce Cope
[…] of March, our organization was faced with another tragedy. We lost one of our own. PFC Junot Cochilus was a Haitian American serving with the United States Army in Afghanistan when he died tragically […]