Benjamin Ashley, You will be remembered.
Benjamin Ashley was killed in Balad, Iraq, May 24 when a vehicle he was driving struck an improvised explosive device. I never met Benjamin, but his death has greatly touched my life as no other from this war in Iraq has.
His father, Kenneth Ashley (Ken) and I grew up together. And not only did we share the same last name and age, but Ken and I frequently found ourselves in competition, Ken and I both played Trumpet in the Raytown South school band, though I have to admit Ken nearly always bested me at it.
Since graduation, I never talked to Ken, though from the news accounts I know that he married, moved to Independence and raised a family including a son named Benjamin, who grew up wanting to be a soldier, accomplished that goal, served and died for us in Iraq.
After graduation, I married, moved to Lees Summit and raised a family, including a son named Aaron, who also grew up wanting to be a soldier, but is now attending college.
I can easily see that instead of Ken and his family suffering this loss, it could have been my family.
Benjamin died so that others may be free. Ken lost a son, so that mine and other sons and daughters could live free.
And if sometime in the future, it happens that my son dies in service to his country, and my family suffers the same grief that Ken and his family is suffering, I'll know that others will remember my son and my family as I and my family remember them.
Benjamin, Ken and your entire family, your sacrifice will be remembered by me and my family.
I found the following on the web (thanks Cornhuster and Gateway Pundit) and I dedicate it to Benjamin, Ken and your family.
A Guest Book page is available for comments and messages to his family.
1 comments:
Hi my name is Jessica, I didn't know Ben personally but my boyfriend Ramon and Ben were like brothers, I know how hard this has been for him and I can only imagine how hard it has been on his family. You are all in my prayers and I wish you the best in life!
Post a Comment