I think it’s best to let Ben’s mom, Brenda, tell you the rest…

"Ben was a typical boy growing up. He was always active, loved anything dangerous. There wasn’t a roller coaster built that he was afraid to go on. He smoked and drank and loved partying with his friends. Ben got an internship at Caterpillar in the CAD area his junior year of high school.

He found out he was going to be a father the summer between his junior and senior years in high school and decided that he needed to work full time in order to support the child. Ben worked full time at McDonalds while attending school his senior year. He was there for the birth of his daughter and was the first person to hold her. Kyra came to our house half time. Ben got up in the night with her and fed and diapered his daughter. She was the apple of his eye. He graduated High School in 2004.

By the middle of his senior year he had decided to become a Marine and signed up shortly after turning 18. He changed jobs and began working at Home Depot until he left for boot camp on Labor Day 2004. Ben graduated from boot camp in San Diego in December 2004 and was home for the holidays that year. He was assigned to Camp LeJeune, N.C., after his training ended. He was deployed to Iraq in August, 2005. He lost a good friend on that tour and had to speak at the memorial on his own birthday. The guys made Ben a cake out of brownies smashed together and covered with hot cocoa frosting. They took care of each other. Ben was home in March of 2005 and we celebrated Kyra’s 2nd birthday and his 20th. We had survived.

Life was normal. Ben would come home on leave and I called him almost every day on my way home from work. Kyra talked to her dad on the phone from time to time. His second deployment was coming and things were different this time. He didn’t feel right about it. He had lost a friend his first time around and knew everyone didn’t come home. Ben came home for his final visit the beginning of February, 2007. We took pictures for his grandma and grandpa’s 50th anniversary presentation and celebrated Kyra’s 3rd birthday. He left for Iraq later that month.

I spoke to Ben for the last time on Mother’s Day. He called to see if I had received his gift, which I had not. Later that day I received a delivery of flowers and a card with a note in it. I cherish those flowers and the note. They were still on display when the Marines came to my house to notify me of his death.

Ben was driving the lead vehicle returning from a mission in the dark of the night. He drove over a pressure plate IED and he and another Marine, Julian, were killed instantly. A third Marine, Jake was thrown clear of the vehicle and survived.

When Ben was brought home there were several ceremonies and people stopped their cars on the expressway to show their respect. The Patriot Guard gave us escorts and there were emergency vehicles flying flags on all the overpasses. Our community turned out in support. Now, three years later, I hope we all remember those that have gone before us and given their lives for our freedoms. Whether you agree with the war(s) or not doesn’t matter these men and women have given their all in the hopes that our futures will be safe and our freedoms secure. Kyra will know that her dad was a hero and loved her completely.” (PJ Star, Memorial Day, 2010)

Darkhorse Lodge is a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) recognition. Darkhorse Lodge will be a retreat for combat veterans of all branches of service to come to relax, fish on Kentucky Lake, enjoy area activities and communicate with others who have walked in their boots. All at no cost to their guests. LEARN MORE

With every purchase of “Songs Without A Home” - the CD that includes, “I’ll Buy the Beer,” Joe Stamm Band LLC will donate $1 to Darkhorse Lodge. We simply LOVE their vision to freely provide an oasis to veterans. Click HERE for purchase options (or keep scrolling to learn more and donate directly to Darkhorse)

See the frame that Ben’s mom is holding in the picture above? Those are the lyrics to “I’ll Buy the Beer” that I hand wrote out, and personalized to her. Perhaps you, or someone you know, has lost a loved one and would find such a memento meaningful. I’d be happy to write one up specifically for that person, including a personal note or dedication…whatever you desire.

And for every lyric sheet ordered, we’ll donate $10 to Darkhorse Lodge, an organization that seeks to provide a no-cost oasis for veterans.