I’ve never been a particularly patriotic person. I didn’t take a moment to remember on each Veteran’s day. I love our country, I love our freedom, but I am SO that person who takes it all for granted. I get caught up in my lattes and American Idol and my shopping sprees and my blog…I forget that it hasn’t always been like this. I forget that people are fighting to keep it like this. I forget that people are DYING to keep it like this. I just go about my way completely oblivious like a spoiled child with a lollipop.
After I shared Ben’s story yesterday I received an email from a reader named Tonya after she read the post about Ben.
She wrote to tell me:
I was checking today for updates like I always do and found your story about Ben. Ben was my husbands roommate at OCS(Officer Candidate School)??? at Ft Benning Ga during the summer of 2002. I can’t tell you how I felt when I realized that your story was about Ben Colgan. I probably only met him 3 or 4 times. I met his wife as well. I don’t know that she would remember me. I will always remember them. My husband thought so much of Ben. It really is a small world. I am sorry for your friend. I am sure that Ben was an awesome big brother.
And then her husband Jamie wrote:
Ben was my roommate in Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA from Mar-Jun 02. Ben showed me the picture of his family that is on your blog while we were in training. When I saw that photo I just sat in my chair and did my best to hold back the tears. I met Ben’s wife during the last week of training and I have never talked to anyone else in his family. They probably have no idea who I am and that is ok.
I am currently serving in Afghanistan and there are not many days that go by that I do not think about Ben. I tell people all the time that he was one of the most genuine guys that I have ever met in my life. It is usually in response to them asking me if I have seen the movie Gunner Palace in which they talked about Ben. As you know, he was short and stocky and he used to run me to death and just say “It’s not the shoes, it’s your heart.” He made me laugh on many occasions. You can send this email to anyone in his family if you like, but I do not wish to cause any of them any heartache by my words. I just want them to know that I carry his memory with me as I continue to serve, as I know that this is what he loved to do.
Amazing, that my little old corner of blog land actually reached someone I don’t know, all the way in Afghanistan, who was as moved by Ben as I was! Unreal. It warms my heart to no end knowing that Ben is still out there, being talked about and remembered everyday. And by sharing his email Jamie has left ME with words of encouragement from Ben!!
Now I can take his words, “it’s not the shoes, it’s your heart”, and think of them at times when I need motivation and an extra push in life…Ben’s words. Still inspiring.
And is it weird that although I personally was not super close with Ben…I feel like he’s RIGHT here? Like on this couch?
My Dad once told Ben’s dad he would be back to haunt him after he died.
I think Ben’s getting even.
Hi Ben.
ps if you’re the “praying kind” say a quick one for Jamie in Afghanistan…that he makes it home to his wife safe and sound and soon.