Director

Robert Merle Cookson was born on February 4, 1948 and son of Alfred and Marilyn Cookson of Cotuit, MA. Going by Bob at Barnstable high school he graduated with the class of 1966. On his yearbook it is stated that he was an “auto enthusiast and spends most of his time tuning up his car” and plans to have a career in agriculture.He was drafted into the Marine Corps, entered via Selective Service. He served during the Vietnam War as Private First Class right after training. He began his tour on November 9, 1968 with the occupation specialty of Rifleman. Served with 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment “the Thundering Third” commanded by General Ray Davis, L Company led by 1st Lieutenant David C. Yorck . His unit became involved in a search and destroy mission in the Demilitarized Zone in the Quang Tri Province. On February 28, 1969 PFC Cookson and 46 other Marines were killed in a North Vietnamese offensive attack as they were engaged in an active search and destroy mission just south of the DMZ. His remains were returned and he was buried at Mosswood cemetery in his home town.The memorial for PFC Robert M. Cookson is located at the entrance to Lovell’s Pond near his home. His name is also inscribed on the Vietnam memorial in Washington D.C.

3rd Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment

Demilitarized Zone in the Quang Tri Province

This memorial honors PFC Robert Merle Cookson an American veteran, who shares a common undeniable goal with all American veterans to protect our country's freedoms. Forever a symbol of heroism, sacrifice, loyalty and freedom.


“I do not believe that the men who served in uniform in Vietnam have been given the credit they deserve. It was a difficult war against an unorthodox enemy.”
-William Westmoreland


Robert Merle Cookson Memorial Stone

Part of the Town of Barnstable veteran's memorial trail. Bringing these hero's back to life, a glimpse into Barnstable's courageous past. 

Robert Merle Cookson was born on February 4, 1948 and son of Alfred and Marilyn Cookson of Cotuit, MA. Going by Bob at Barnstable high school he graduated with the class of 1966. On his yearbook it is stated that he was an “auto enthusiast and spends most of his time tuning up his car” and plans to have a career in agriculture. He was drafted into the Marine Corps, entered via Selective Service. He served during the Vietnam War as Private First Class right after training. He began his tour on November 9, 1968 with the occupation specialty of Rifleman. Served with 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment “the Thundering Third” commanded by General Ray Davis, L Company led by 1st Lieutenant David C. Yorck . His unit became involved in a search and destroy mission in the Demilitarized Zone in the Quang Tri Province. On February 28, 1969 PFC Cookson and 46 other Marines were killed in a North Vietnamese offensive attack as they were engaged in an active search and destroy mission just south of the DMZ. His remains were returned and he was buried at Mosswood cemetery in his home town. The memorial for PFC Robert M. Cookson is located at the entrance to Lovell’s Pond near his home. His name is also inscribed on the Vietnam memorial in Washington D.C.

Albert Reposa was born on March 17, 1916 to Mary Julia and Manuel Reposa in Mashpee and later went on to live in Santuit with his mother. He enlisted in the Massachusetts National Guard on November 25th 1940, and two months later entered the United States Army at the Boston Army Base. Reposa trained at Camp Edwards and was later sent to gunnery school in Nevada. After, he was sent to a base in East Lansing, Michigan. On February 4th 1943 Sergeant Albert Reposa was a gunner on a U. S. Army, Douglas A-20C Havoc, left Cumberland Air Base in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with four men aboard. The purpose of the flight was to take part in a joint-training exercise with members of the 3rd Armored Division. Due to severe storms during the flight the pilot, Major Arnold J. Bailey took the plane to 13,000 feet and gave the order to bail out before crashing. Sergeant Reposa’s body was later recovered in May of 1943 on the shore of Wareham. A memorial service was held for him at St. Jude’s Chapel and he was buried at St. Patrick’s cemetery. Besides his mother, Sergeant Reposa is survived by his son Robert and two sisters.  Sergeant Reposa’s memorial is located at the intersection of Route 28 and Santuit-Newtown Road in Cotuit.

This memorial honors Sergeant Albert Reposa, an American veteran, who shares a common undeniable goal with all American veterans to protect our country's freedoms. Forever a symbol of heroism, sacrifice, loyalty and freedom.

“The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers. The Soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.”

-General George S. Patton


Albert D. Reposa Memorial Stone

Edward M. Oldfield was born on October 10, 1932 in New York City. He was educated in Taunton, Massachusetts and graduated from Barnstable High School class of 1951. His yearbook notes He lost no time becoming acquainted, especially with the female population. Edward’s favorite sport was swimming and on his senior year he was on the Barnacle advertising staff. Edward Mott Oldfield enlisted in the United States Army in 1952. He was assigned to the 15th Infantry, 3rd Division and was discharged to fight in the Korean War. On April 16, 1953 his unit was posted on the “Missouri Line” north of the 38th Parallel in the Chorwan Valley, North of Seoul. He was killed in action on the front lines on April 16, 1953 four days after entering combat, he was 20 years old. Private Second Class Oldfield’s remains were returned to the United States and he was buried in Mosswood Cemetery Cotuit, Massachusetts. Saturday, May 21, 1955 the Taunton Gazette reported 400 people viewed the unveiling of the plaque officially naming the square for the Korean War hero. The Town of Barnstable has a memorial located at the intersection of Santuit-Newtown Road and Old Kings Road in Cotuit, MA.

This memorial honors Edward Mott Oldfield, an American veteran, who shares a common undeniable goal with all American veterans to protect our country's freedoms. Forever a symbol of heroism, sacrifice, loyalty and freedom.


“The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” 
― General Douglas MacArthur


Edward Mott Oldfield Memorial Stone

Carlton Thomas Harlow was born on February 14th, 1889 in Cotuit Massachusetts son of Wallis Francis and Josephine Fuller Harlow. Private Carlton T. Harlow entered into Military service in Barnstable, Mass and on February of 1918 was sent to Camp Devens to train for WW1. On May, 7th 1918 he was sent overseas with the 4th Division. He fought courageously with the Machine Gun Company, 59th Infantry. Between August 4th and 22nd of 1918 Private Harlow was in the Second Battle of the Marne where the German Army defends vigorously on the Vesle River, that was the last major German attack on the western front during the First World War. Private Carlton T. Harlow was killed in action in a tenacious battle in the crossing of the Vesle River at Fismes, France on August, 9th 1918. A Memorial was constructed in 1920 to honor Carlton Thomas Harlow a veteran of the First World War. It is located at the intersection of Old Oyster Road and Highland Avenue in Cotuit, Massachusetts. His final resting place is Mosswood Cemetery in Couit, Massachusetts.

This memorial honors Carlton Thomas Harlow, an American veteran, who shares a common undeniable goal with all American veterans to protect our country's freedoms. Forever a symbol of heroism, sacrifice, loyalty and freedom.

"We came American. We shall remain American and go into battle with Old Glory over our heads. I will not parcel out American boys." - General John J. Pershing

Carlton Thomas Harlow Memorial Stone

Franklin Maynard Gifford III was born on April 15, 1924 in Cotuit, MA the son of Franklin and Winifred Hoxie Gifford. He attended Barnstable High School and on his senior year he was in military drill and golf. A Private in the 101st Infantry Division of the 26th Yankee Division, to which he was transferred from the combat engineers. They were near the Metz in northern France, when the Germans began their last attack on December 16th, 1944 in the Ardennes Mountains. The Allied counter offensive began on December 22nd with the 26th Division under Major General Willard S. Paul moving north from Arlon to Wiltz in northern Luxembourg. They encountered resistance at Esch sur Sure which the Germans were determined to hold. The defense was held by Führer Grenadier Brigade, an elite Army unit that was part of Hitler’s personal bodyguard. The 101st pushed through freezing rain, deep snow drifts and record-breaking low temperatures brutalized the American troops and the crossing was made on Christmas Day. On December 27th, 1944 the 101st reached the city of Liefrange, Luxembourg where Private Franklin Maynard Gifford paid the ultimate sacrifice in the Battle of the Bulge. This was also the same day that the siege of Bastogne was relieved by Third Army units. Private Franklin Maynard Gifford’s remains was returned to his hometown of Cotuit, Massachusetts where he was buried at Mosswood cemetery. A memorial was built in 1947 located at the junction of Coolidge and High Streets, near his home.

This memorial honors Franklin Maynard Gifford III , an American veteran, who shares a common undeniable goal with all American veterans to protect our country's freedoms. Forever a symbol of heroism, sacrifice, loyalty and freedom.

“A man must know his destiny… if he does not recognize it, then he is lost. By this I mean, once, twice, or at the very most, three times, fate will reach out and tap a man on the shoulder… if he has the imagination, he will turn around and fate will point out to him what fork in the road he should take, if he has the guts, he will take it.” 
―  General George S. Patton Jr.

Franklin Maynard Gifford III Memorial Stone

Edmund Webb Harlow was born on January 23, 1923 son of Matthew Raymond Harlow and Anna Webb Harlow. His parents were the proprietors of the Santuit House, known to be the first resort hotel on Cape Cod. Edmund graduated from Barnstable High School in 1941. It’s written in his year book, “his curiosity to learn the answers has often led him into lengthy arguments”. It also states he plans on enrolling at Norwich University and study mechanical engineering. He was very active in high school participating in Football, glee club, yearbook club, class operetta and dance committee. After a year of being a student at Norwich he enlisted in the Army as a private in Fort Devens on October 4, 1943. Also in 1943 he was admitted on August 23rd as a cadet at West Point Military Academy. On September 2, 1943 an accident occurred and Cadet Harlow lost his life. The memorial for Edmund W. Harlow is located at the entrance of Ropes Beach in Cotuit.

This memorial honors Edmund Webb Harlow, an American veteran, who shares a common undeniable goal with all American veterans to protect our country's freedoms. Forever a symbol of heroism, sacrifice, loyalty and freedom.

"Duty, Honor, Country" - those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn."   -General Douglas MacArthur

Edmund Webb Harlow Memorial Stone

Ralph B. Hoxie was born on February 14th, 1893 in Cotuit, Massachusetts son of Everett Lee and Carrie Drew Hoxie. At age twenty Mr. Hoxie married Lillian Howes Terry of Cummaquaid on July 8th, 1913.He enrolled in the United States Naval Reserve Force at the Boston Navy Yard on March 23, 1917. He served as a Mechanist mate, 2nd Class and was called to active service on April 26, 1917. He was first assigned to duty at the headquarters 1st Naval District in Boston. Soon after he was assigned to USS Bonita and promoted to Chief Mechanist’s Mate. His duty station during World War I was the Navel Station in Chatham, MA. He was assigned to a unit protecting the coast looking for German submarines. Just one year after active duty Chief Mechanist’s Mate Ralph B. Hoxie was acting engineer on Patrol Boat 610 on April 27th, 1918, where the boat was at Stage Harbor in Chatham. Nearby other sailors were testing rockets. One rocket was fired towards the harbor, as it stuck the water it glanced passed the boat striking Hoxie in the head a fatally killing him. He was brought back to Cotuit and buried in his family plot at Mosswood Cemetery. His Memorial Stone was built in 1920. It stands today as a remembrance of Ralph Bowman Hoxie at the intersection of Lowell Avenue and Putnam Avenue in Cotuit, Massachusetts.

This memorial honors Ralph Bowman Hoxie, an American veteran, who shares a common undeniable goal with all American veterans to protect our country's freedoms. Forever a symbol of heroism, sacrifice, loyalty and freedom.

“I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.” 
― John F. Kennedy

Veteran's Memorial Stone Tour

Robert Merle Cookson Memorial Stone

Introduction

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Backstory and Context

Sources