Cohen Vietnam War veteran Natick Veterans Oral History Project
Channel: natvets1
Date: 2011-08-15

In 1962 instead of graduating from high school, M. David Cohen skipped the graduation ceremony to join the Air Force and eventually became a chaplain's assistant. Surviving basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, he was sent to France with the 322nd Air Division and became the acting Jewish chaplain, visiting bases in France, Germany, Spain, Morocco and Libya. Throughout his career with the Air Force he created Jewish programs where there were none and worked with the Little Sisters of the Poor in France and with other chaplains setting up food pantries. He speaks of the different role that a chaplain has compared to the servicemen. David has continued as a volunteer chaplain with the Chelsea Soldiers Home and with other organizations and remains active in honoring the military with programs and productions.