Called to serve together

By Barbara Brown
North Branch High School graduate Keith Benolken had a big week last week.
Heís had a big past nine weeks.
Benolken, 20, graduated from his Army basic training at Fort Leonardwood, Mo., last Thursday; and Friday morning started several weeks of training as a heavy equipment operator.
Benolken was joined at Fort Leonardwood by his wife, Geri Lynn Wallace-Matthews, and his parents, brother and grandparents who drove for two days to get to the graduation ceremony.
The interesting thing about Benolkenís enlistment in the Army in September 2002 is that he had never planned to serve in the military until his wifeís experience convinced him.
Wallace-Matthews enlisted in the Army Reserves April 16, 2002, despite her then-boyfriendís urging not to join, Wallace-Matthews said.
ìHe really wasnít too thrilled about me joining until I got home and showed him my basic training video and then he got excited about it and saw how much I enjoyed it,î the 18-year-old North Branch senior said.
Wallace-Matthews and Benolken were married Dec. 23 in Stillwater, but their vows to each other had nothing to do with their new vows to the country, Wallace-Matthews said.
ìWe would have gotten married either way,î she said.
Benolken will return home in May for a short stint to do some hometown recruiting from the Forest Lake recruiting office until Wallace-Matthews graduates.
She said she expects to switch her mode of service to the medical field once they get established in Fort Hood.
Wallace-Matthews said she always had an idea that she wanted to join the service when she came of age.
Her uncle is a Green Beret with Special Forces.
She said she expects to make a life career out of the military, but Benolken said he would wait out his enlistment before deciding future plans.

Family reaction
In a phone interview last Thursday from Fort Leonardwood, Benolkenís parents and grandparents offered their concerns, joys and reactions to their son and daughter-in-lawís decisions.
Billie Jo Benolken, Keithís mother, said she honestly is scared for the young couple.
ìIím scared, but Iím also very proud of him,î she said. ìWhen he first left for basic there were a lot of tears, but now Iím really proud.î
She said she did anticipate staying up nights worrying about Keith and Geri, but she was glad that the two would be together during their enlistment.
ìNo matter what road they are taking, youíre always worried about your kids,î she said.
Billie Jo Benolken said she hoped the community would join her family in praying for the coupleís safety and for success in their service.
Bill Alger, Keith Benolkenís grandfather, served in the Navy and was pleased to hear his grandson had enlisted. He fought in a post-Korean War conflict in the China Sea.
ìIím a little disappointed that he chose the Army,î Alger joked, ìbut I guess he had to choose his own way.î
Alger said he thinks all people in the country should serve in the military at some point in their lives. He said it helps Americans appreciate all they have.
All the men in Algerís family served including his four brothers and one son.
Alger admitted he was a little tentative about having his grandson so far away.
ìI am nervous, but somebodyís got to do it and Iím glad itís him.î
Benolkenís grandmother Maxine Alger admitted that she nearly didnít take her grandson seriously when he told them his plans.
ìI said right away ëOh you are notí,î Alger said. ìI thought he was joking around with us.î
When Alger realized her grandson was going to the Army, some real fears started to sink in.
ìI didnít really want him to go out and do this, but weíre real proud of him and hope and pray that everything works out.î
Keith Benolkenís father Kevin said he was not nervous about his sonís enlistment or coming service.
ìHe should be in good hands,î Kevin Benolken said. ìHeís probably going to be safer than any of us are.î
Kevin Benolken said the hardest part for him to deal with will be the geographical distance from his son.
ìItíll be hard until we get used to it,î he said. ìBut it gives us a nice place to go visit.î

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