Like Frank Benitez I met Dan "Cos" Cosden on the USS Piedmont (AD-17). Cos was one of my first friends on the ship. We both had a Naval Air Station (NAS) background, his at NAS Bermuda and mine at NAS Key West. Cos reported to the Piedmont (affectionately referred to by the crew as the "Speedy Piedy") before I did (May 3rd, 1980) and had a place in town with his (then) girlfriend Vivian. He invited me over for dinner several times and I was happy to get off the ship and hang out in a non-Navy environment. Cos was the defacto leader of our close circle of friends that he brought together. In September 1980 Cos surprised me by asking me if I wanted to go in as partners on buying a house with him since he and "Viv" were breaking up. I accepted and on November 3rd, 1980 we closed on the house we made an offer on. Cos ended up reenlisting and got stationed in Guam less than a year later. A couple of years after that I bought him out of his share in the home. Cos visited me in that house a few times and in the house I live in today once. When I called him one evening in April of 2018 he was watching a Phillies game and asked if I could call him the following night. When I did he told me that he had Stage 4 colon cancer. I wanted to visit him but he asked me not too because he wasn't up to it so I respected his wishes. I then started a pattern of calling him every two or three weeks and we would talk for an hour or two and he said he was very glad we were back in touch. The last time I spoke with him was two days before he passed. He was a true friend and always made me laugh. I miss and love you Buddy!

Old Navy buddy on the USS Piedmont who I loved hanging with Coz. He always had a witty remark for us. Always had something to say!

Got to hang with in on July 3 and we had a blast, eating his famous cheese steaks on his front porch.

We love him and will always be in out hearts. Miss you bro.

Frank

Cos...Thoughts, memories, schock, my guilt. Let me try to make this not all about how I feel right now, Jimmy telling me just now the news.

In our lives lives, yours and mine, our friends, Franny, Mike, Dickie, our folks, especially your folks - now Saints along with Gig and Dorey.

Millions of miles of memories. All smiles, brother. Nativity, your brother Joe's wedding where we finished everyone's drinks while they were dancing. When, at 14, your stealing your mom's wigs and driving her Buick, your Dad's Deuce past my house on Jefferson street. You going away to Valley Forge, Devon Prep, back to O'Hara, Saint Francis in Allentown, Pat, working with your Dad, Donnie, Barney, Wes, your dad looking over his glasses at us, two knuckleheads, Ed and Edgie, your mom at the clinic, all the cars, your Camaro, the drives, the music, Bowie, Reed, Waits, just hanging out with you was enough brotherhood for a lifetime.

The Navy - My Dad's Funeral, Thanksgiving at my mom's. I won't see you again until we meet in Heaven. God will look over his eyeglasses at a new saint and a newly arrived knucklehead.

Christ's mercy on you, good soul. Now I really miss you. And I will until the end of time. Joe C.