Though his music career achievements have been great, the fact that this singer/songwriter conquered the many challenges new artists often face with 4 pounds of cement in his back is most admirable. A proud member of the Marine Corps., Stephen can home from a 2004 back injury acquire while fighting for our country in the war against Iraq and Afghanistan. Like most war veterans, Cochran also suffers from far more than physical injuries. He has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). An anxiety disorder associated with serious traumatic events and characterized by such symptoms as survivor’s guilt. Anyone who has seen combat or suffered a terrifying physical or emotional event is most likely to have PTSD. The disorder causes the person who survived these events to have persistent, frightening thoughts and memories, or flashbacks, of the ordeal. When Stephen co-wrote the song, “Hope,” the Washington VA picked him to be the face of the VA’s Research & Development department.
Bed-stricken for nine months, Cochran passed each day by writing songs as he recovered from his injuries. In spite of his injuries, Cochran maintains an utmost respect for the Marine Corps. “I love the Marine Corps. Everything they did for me structured my life and gave me the drive to know that I can do anything I want to do.”
Every step along the way to building one of country music’s most promising careers and living the nonstop touring life of an entertainer, Cochran has always taken time to leerage his newfound celebrity status to benefit his fellow veterans. The Coalition to Salute Heroes is only one of several organizations Stephen continues to work with to keep veterans informed of innovative tools and therapy. “The way I was raised was to be thankful to this country for being able to do our dream, and my dream is music,” Cochran says. “These soldiers and their families have sacrificed so much for this great country, and it’s an honor and a privilege to do whatever I can whenever I can to salute them and to help them.”
