You see, Ben was in the Army when he was killed. Ben loved being a soldier, he loved his job, he loved life. (Below, Ben and Ardell when Ben first joined and was stationed in Germany).
Ben was one of those people who was always smiling. He made the best of the situation and had a good time. He was the epitome of a "big" brother. He would get after me all the time, and I mean ALL the time. I remember once he called me at 6:00 AM and woke me up, and then told me I should already be awake because he had been up for a couple of hours. Ben was also a joke-ster. He was always laughing and teasing. When I was about 10, we were eating dinner at my parents house and he dribbled water on my head. I yelled at him and then my dad yelled at me for making a commotion. Did Ben step in to say he started it? Nope, I think he just laughed. (Below, Kenny and SGT Clonts, and Ben's headstone).
After Kenny repeated the oath, he talked about why he chose this spot for the ceremony. He said that Ben was a great example and of of the main reason's he decided to join the Army (I believe he joined after Ben died). He thought it was only fitting that he have his last ceremony at Ben's grave.
I am proud of the service Ben gave for his country. I am proud to call him my brother. But this day, I was also proud of Kenny. He is a great man and from what I have seen, has a lot of the characteristics of Ben. I am proud and grateful of the service he gives to our country. I am grateful that he loves his brother, my brother, as much as I do.
On Ben's headstone are the words "Freedom isn't Free." This day, I would add "but courageous men choose to serve anyway."
3 comments:
What a wonderful brother. And thanks to your family for making the sacrifice right along with him.
Thank you Kenny, thank you for your service, and thank you for remebering and honoring a great Man, Husband, Father, Son, Brother, and Soilder. I wish I could have been there to tell you that in person. I'm proud of you and I know Ben is also. I remeber back when you were young, and I could tell that Ben really loved and cared for you. I remeber he would give you a hard time sometimes, just as he would me, when he thought we needed it. But he was also there with a smile and ready to share the good times as well. I kind of miss those times. I know he thought of you as a little brother. So thank you again little brother, and my God Bless you and your family.
DAWG POUND OUT!
Joe
Lovely....
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