By MaryHelen Swanson

The North Branch VFW Post #6424 is stepping up to the plate to help family and friends be at the bedside of Corp. JohnathanÝL. Benson who lies in a hospital bed in Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Benson, 21, as it was reported July 19, was severely injured June 17 by a blast from a roadside bomb that struck the vehicle in which he was riding near Habbaniyah, Iraq. Benson is a 2003 graduate of North Branch High School.

When Pat Tallarico, a Korean veteran and Commander of the North Branch VFW Post #6424, heard about the need for ongoing bedside support, he quickly brought Bensonís situation to the attention of his fellow members at a VFW meeting.

He reminded them how difficult it is for family and friends to be at the bedside of a wounded soldier due to costs of things such as airline tickets and responsibilities at home, yet how important it is that they be there.

Bensonís father Steve said this week said the military provides the family one trip.

For the most part, parents, siblings and friends must pay their own way.

Since Cpl. Benson will be hospitalized for perhaps more than a year in Texas, those trips could become a financial nightmare.

Benson must undergo extensive rehabilitation to adjust to life without his left arm and leg and to possibly life in a wheelchair, a family friend said.

After the VFW members heard about the need, it was decided that they would establish a fund for the purpose of helping family and friends with travel-related expenses by offering the public an opportunity to ìSponsor a Visit.î

Individuals can make a tax deductible contribution in the amount of $350 (the price of a plane ticket) to VFW Post #6424 and designate it for Marine Cpl. Johnathan Benson.

All contributions are welcome, however. Thirty-five gifts in the amount of $10 add up to a ticket as well.

Other contributions can be in the form of donated frequent flyer miles. Sometimes folks amass large numbers and donít know how to use them all. To donate airline miles, contact Michelle at (651) 674-0612 or (651) 755-7567.

Additionally, funds received will be used to help cover any of Cpl. Bensonís non-covered expenses.

Tax deductible contributions designated for Johnathan Benson can be sent to:

VFW Post #6424
P.O. Box 373
North Branch, MN 55056

A second account (non tax deductible) was established by a friend at First National Bank of North Branch.

Contributions can be sent to:

Johnathan Benson Benefit Fund
First National Bank
38860 10th Ave.
North Branch, MN 55056

Update: The responses from well wishers have been just fantastic, Bensonís father said in a phone interview Tuesday. There are cards lining a wall in his room and a suitcase filled with the overflow. There have also been many comments of support to the online story at the Post Review Web site.

Benson has had a couple of tough weeks, his father said. There have been some surgeries and a fever. Just last Sunday doctorís identified a bacteria from Iraq that didnít show up earlier.

It is very treatable, Steve Benson said, and treatment was started Sunday night. Johnathan appears to be responding as his temperature was down to normal Tuesday morning.

In the last few weeks Cpl. Benson has not been as alert as the doctors and staff would like to see, his father said. But on July 27, when the Marine Commandant came to officially award him the Purple Heart, Cpl. Benson struggled to open his eyes when the Commandant leaned over him.

Bensonís family offers their gratitude for all the support that has come from people at home in North Branch and from many places around the country.

They ask that this be continued as it means so much to their son.

You can follow Cpl. Bensonís recovery at Caringbridge.com. Go to ìvisitî then type in johnathanbenson. On that site you can also leave a message of support and read messages sent by others.

If you would like to send Johnathan a card of encouragement via mail, write to:

Corp. Jonathan Benson
c/o Marine Liaison
Brooke Army Medical Center
3851 Roger Brooke Drive
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6200

Comment from George Taylor, 8/21/06

This may help Johnathans family. A friend of mine has formed an organization to help families of wounded solders and Veterans to be with their loved ones by flying them to be with their loved one. The name of this organization is Veterans Airlift Command. Here is the e-mail address of his organization http://www.veteransairlift.org/
. He is a Viet Nam Vet himself and knows what it's like. Let everyone know about this and let the word get out.

Comment from Jessica Phelps, 8/24/06

Johnathan remains in my nightly prayers. I have requested that my local church say a Mass for him. Hopefully, he will pull through this latest round of health problems associated with his injury. I pray that even though he suffered a massive stroke only days ago on both sides of his brain, and the doctors say that he has no brain function, that a miracle will indeed happen.
However, this being said, as a Marine Corps wife, I feel obligated to point out some of the gross untruths and misrepresentations in some of the statements from those in San Antonio. The Marine Corps always takes care of its own and the families of those injured. NO ONE has had to pay their own way yet to see Johnathan and be with him. The Marine Corps has funded trips to San Antonio for all family and friends. Although only one trip is covered by the Marine Corps, other agencies in San Antonio have graciously paid for all other trips, airfare, etc needed when peole have had to leave and come back for various reasons. This has resulted in NO out of pocket costs for anybody.
I simply think it is a deviation from the truth to even insinuate that the Marine Corps has been making family and friends pay to go see him, as the Marine Corps takes great pride in providing whatever may be needed for Marines and their families.

Comment from William Koski, 8/25/06

ALERT!!

The message from the person identified as Jessica Phelps is in error. For clarification purposes, accurate information is provided below.

While it is true that the Marine Corps takes care of their own, not all expenses are or can be paid for in regard to family and friends visiting John. My wife and I visited with John and his family in San Antonio last week, and the Marine Corp, as great as they treated us, did not pay for our flight as close friends of the family. Other friends have also paid their own way, along with extented family members such as uncles and aunts. People have donated funds and "miles", and VFW's and Legions may provide some assistance as well. The Marines explained that the free or reduced flights for family to the hospital were limited.

While the comfortable lodging and good food are very reasonable, we had to pay full price, and the costs were not negotiable. John's family does receive free lodging, but pays for their own food as well.

Duty drivers did pick us up from the airport for free, and would drive to different spots on the base for free.

The Marines and every military person at Fort Sam Houston are absolutely the greatest people on earth and the care and concern they show John and his family and friends are beyond words. But it is not all free. We are not aware of any agency in San Antonio that would pay for our expenses. If there are some, we would like to receive that information, because many other friends of John would like to visit him.

One additional comment. In regard to John's brain function, it is unknown how much he is processing at this time, but he clearly seems to respond to visual, auditory and tactile stumuli. I have talked personally to John's main doctor, Dr. Martin. When I directly asked him if John would be able to recover from the stroke completely, he said he did not know, but it was possible. Two of his nurses were very encouraged by his progress, with one saying 'I can tell he is still in there.'

Although no one can predict the future, a best case scenario will have John recovering for 12-18 months. There is a state of the art rehabilitation center currently under construction next to the hospital, and the medical staff hope that John will be going there if he can pull through.

John receives at least one visit every day from the Marines at the fort. Other Marines, also wounded, told us how they are praying for him. The Marines, with the many other brave members of our military, truly give their all. Surrounded by members of the military, we saw nothing but the best of America. Regardless of cultural, ethnic, educational or other background, these men and women made me proud.

Before the stroke, John treasured the visits of family and friends, and even after it, he appears comforted by those he knows and loves. We ask that the incorrect comments addressed above be retracted by the author, and hope that future comments show love and support for John and his family.

Please continue to keep John in your thoughts and prayers, as his wounds are very serious, and he is in critical condition. He may not survive his wounds and may not recover from the stroke, but he is giving it his best.

If anyone has more information or sources for expense, or has questions regarding his care, please e-mail me at: bkoski53@uno.com.

Thank you for making a difference!

Comment from Lynn Johnson, 8/25/06

I would like to respond to Ms. Phelps' comments. As I am not fully aware of all of the details of the Marine's policies, I can tell you that I have a credit card statement for an airline ticket that I personally purchased. While, yes, I believe the Marine's are doing everything possible to assist the family of Cpl. Benson and to make it as easy as possible for them to be there, I also believe it has to be extremely difficult for the family to continue the faithful chain of support for Johnathan as they have. Yes, he has had some set-backs as of late, but you do what you have to do because it is so very important to have someone by his side at all times. Being uninformed is difficult and sometimes misleading. It's a shame that words can hurt so badly too. My prayers also go out to all of John's family and friends and patriots around the world who care. Please continue your support for Johnathan. It is so very important.

Comment from Erin, 9/11/06

Cpl-

"If the Army and the Navy ever gazed from Heavan's scenes....they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines"...

You have served, you have done beyond what was asked of you......you gave all.

God bless you on this day.....

Semper Fi!

Erin