High school friend, soccer player, U.S. Marine, citizen of two nations, Switzerland and the United States, but bound by choice to one—Jon’s life was tragically cut short in a training accident at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in 2005.

     Whether it was his intensity on the soccer field, or his fun-loving, independent streak, Jon attracted many friends and everyone enjoyed his company.  In the Marines, his determination in training and combat, and that same, fun-loving, independent character, earned him the respect and friendship of his comrades.

     As a young man, Jon excelled at many sports, but soccer was his specialty.  He had ball skills and speed to make defenders look helpless.  Jon played club soccer, high school soccer at Cherry Hill West, and a year at Richard Stockton College.  Following 9/11, he left for a new challenge.

     Jonathan enlisted in the Marine Corps--endured Parris Island boot camp and drill instructors with the same sense of humor as he had high school and teachers--volunteered and qualified to become a Marine Scout/Sniper, and went to war in Iraq in 2003.  Upon his return from Iraq, he volunteered and qualified to become a member of Marine Force Recon, special forces.

     He found special delight jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, qualifying as a Marine combat diver and Pathfinder, and taking specialized courses in a variety of training environments, winter in the mountains of West Virginia, hot months in the California desert.

     As beloved son, brother, Marine, and friend, Jonathan is missed by many people.  However, the spirit of Jon Cohen remains, and he will forever be remembered for the fearlessness with which he approached life. 

The mission of the memorial fund is to remember Jon by 

• Creating a scholarship to benefit a senior Cherry Hill West boys soccer player pursuing higher education or military service
• Donating to charities that support wounded Marines and their families.