Posted: 9/13/06
Hometown hero dies
 An impromptu memorial ceremony was held Sunday night as friends in North Branch remembered Cpl. Johnathan Benson who died Saturday evening of severe injuries he received while serving in Iraq. Several dozen folks arrived to witness a flag-raising in a rock garden that Benson helped create. The flag and pole were donated by NB VFW Post #6424. |
By MaryHelen Swanson
With his family at his side, Cpl. Johnathan Benson, 21, of North Branch, passed away peacefully at Brooke Army Medical Center in
Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 9.
Cpl. Benson, a 2003 graduate of NBAHS, was injured in Iraq during his second tour of duty when a roadside bomb exploded under his vehicle near Habbaniyah, Iraq.
Benson lost his left leg, part of his left arm and had internal injuries. While at Brooke Army Medical Center he suffered several strokes and was treated for a bacteria he contracted in Iraq. For his injuries during both his first tour and second, Benson received two purple hearts.
During an impromptu ceremony Sunday night, Sept. 10, friends in North Branch raised an American flag provided by North Branch VFW Post #6424 in Bensonís honor.
Funeral services are as follows: Saturday, Sept. 16, 3-4 p.m., private family time, 4 - 8 p.m. public visitation; Sunday, Sept. 17, 2 - 3 p.m. reviewal, funeral service at 3 p.m. All services will be held at the North Branch High School auditorium. Interment will be at Ft. Snelling on Monday, Sept. 18. Tentatively a motorcade will assemble in NB around 9 a.m., the interment is set for around 11 a.m. Details will be provided at the funeral on Sunday.
Comment from Ray & Linda, 9/19/06
?As one Marine family to another, we send our sincere condolence to the Benson Family & Friends. We shall honor him as one who tried to make a difference and difference he ade. We honor him for his courage and commitment to our country. We will continue to pray that this
conflict will end soon and these loses will have made a difference to us and to our world.
Semper Fidelis.
Comment from Ray & Linda, 9/19/06
?As one Marine family to another, we send our sincere condolence to the Benson Family & Friends. We shall honor him as one who tried to make a difference and difference he ade. We honor him for his courage and commitment to our country. We will continue to pray that this
conflict will end soon and these loses will have made a difference to us and to our world.
Semper Fidelis.
Comment from Ray & Linda, 9/19/06
?As one Marine family to another, we send our sincere condolence to the Benson Family & Friends. We shall honor him as one who tried to make a difference and difference he ade. We honor him for his courage and commitment to our country. We will continue to pray that this
conflict will end soon and these loses will have made a difference to us and to our world.
Semper Fidelis.
©ECM Post Review
6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com