Memorials

If you would like to have a memorial posted for Ben please send an email to cjones@synergybroadcast.com. Your thoughts and prayers are very welcome and comforting to everyone in Ben's Family.

	Re: Benjamin Jones May 2009 Hey Amy! I enjoyed your pictures. My husband and I have a little boy too ... the love of my life. =) Like I said before, I'd been wanting to reconnect with you and your parents. Would it be okay if I contacted them? I don't have their updated email address. The addresses on Ben's website are outdated. Are you all still in Texas? How are your parents doing? I wanted to share with you a book I wrote that is coming out this fall, called The New Cadet: a young woman's journey in a man's world. It is a fictional story about what I experienced at Virginia Military Institute as part of the 2nd class of women. The storyline reflects a lot of my friends' stories and my own personal experiences. You see, that summer, the summer of 2000, Basic Camp, the trip to Texas, the accident etc... was a monumental time in my life. At first, when I started writing, I didn't have plans for it to be published. I just needed to get the experience out of me. Then the book took on a life of its own. I wanted to tell you and your parents that the book is dedicated to Ben. It wasn't until recently, with the completion of the book, did I fully realize the impact Ben's brief friendship and death had on my life. I hope it is okay that I tell you this. The last thing I desire to do is upset you or your family in sharing this. But, that one week in Texas and then Ben's funeral changed everything for me. Months after the funeral, I left VMI and was put on a completely different path ... and I know now that Ben was essentially the catalyst for it all. (Who I am today, as a mother, Interfaith Minister and Spiritual Counselor, writer, music teacher, etc... is totally different from the career solider I had desired to be then.) I have tried to reconnect with Mitch, Sabrina and Maria, but haven't had any luck. I saw an article date 2004 about Mitch in Iraq, and I found out Sabrina is a police officer. I don't have any contact information, though. Blessings to you and your family! So great to connect, Destiny
	I was there when you were born, so I was there when you died...You have no idea what a wonderful, unselfish person you were....However, these are not sentiments coming from me simply because I am your mom, but also from the many empathetic acts you demonstrated to others who were either in trouble, or troubled, that I myself witnessed unawares to you... Ben, I know it was not in your future to fulfill your dreams that you had while on this earth, but as the old saying goes: "Only the good die young"...How well I believe that now...Jesus Himself recognized you to be what He wanted all people, young and old, to be examples of....Too bad that this has to be realized by an untimely death such as yours, my son... Remember us whenever you are in His Presence, and ask Him that we live by your examples, many of which I could record here, but are only for my heart alone... God Speed, Sweetheart, and always know that your dad and I loved you with everything we had. All my love, MOM
	Dear Ben: As I write this, I know that you are in heaven with your grandparents and other loved ones who have gone on before you. I asked all of them to greet you and welcome you into heaven with them. I want you to know that there will always be "12" of us in spirit and in our hearts.. you will NEVER be forgotten, Ben. You have been such a brave, tough guy through all of this. You are in our souls forever. Godspeed Ben - you've earned it... Mom and Dad, Amy, Uncle Ronnie, Aunt Jean, Sara, Abby, Uncle John, Aunt LaDonna, Shannon, and John

Bless you Jones. And may God take are of your family. CPT Whitfield

Dear Ben: Your life ended much too soon...but not without purpose. There are no words to adequately express our feelings about you at this difficult time. We are very saddened at your passing but joyful that you are at peace. You have been an inspiration to us all. Your dreams will not be fulfilled the way we hoped but perhaps we can keep your dreams alive in some special way. You will always be in our thoughts and memories. Uncle Chuck, Aunt Diana, Brandi, Graham, Lauren, Lindsay and Patrick.

Doris, Scott and Amy, My heart goes out to you. I know you never gave up hope so it is so hard to accept. You each have your own personal knowledge of what you shared with Ben. I know if he could he would tell you that he is thankful for every minute and every memory you gave him. Some lives are too short but that doesn't mean they weren't full and happy. I am praying for you every day. Much love, Nita Johnston

	Please accept our sincerest and most heartfelt condolences. We offer our prayers for Ben and his entire family. Kevin
	I feel the pain of your family. Thank you for including me in your messages. Since Ben is now in a most wonderful place, I'll shift my prayers to those who have to cope with his absence. Don't you think that's what Ben will be doing, too? God bless you and your family. Sandra

My heart aches for you. I lost my baby brother in a car accident when he was only 26 years old and I know how hard it is. God has given me much strength to deal with it and enjoy the precious memories I had with him. God bless, I care. nannaterri

We will all mourn the loss of such a good man. I was his Drill Sergeant for the summer camp. I will pass this unfortunate news to the rest of the cadre here at Ft. Knox. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Your brave and loving soldier will be long remembered. MIKE MARTIN

I am so very sorry. It is very sad for a young man to die. May God grant his family peace in dealing with this tragedy. Betty Humphrey.

For Ben and us all: May your life force strengthen and energize us all and your body fortify the earth with love and goodness. You were one of the truest people I knew, and while your passing saddens me, I am extremely happy I had the chance to be friends with you and that you're out there making us stronger. Thank you for everything you brought to my life, I will truly miss you. Love, Carly

Dear Ben: Although I miss you greatly, I know you are in a better place. Your love and memory will remain in my heart forever. Love, Uncle Ronnie.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I did not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the gentle autumn rain,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the stars that shine at night.
I am the shine of a guiding light.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
~God needed one true, pure angel, so he took one of ours.~

Miss you Ben. Love, Cadet Paula Palacios, 1st Plt. Warlords

Advent Sleeps By Graham Jones (Ben's Cousin)

Archways Down The Long Hours Of
Pews Mangled In The Flower Shells
Not Being the Formidable Remembrance
Displayed To Not Show Up, Such Sorrow
Such Sorrow...

All These Voices Like Street
Cars Running On The Wrinkles
Of My Brain Reaching For The
Children's Voices From Youth.

Amongst This Placid Music
Waiting Finally For The
Advent Of Your Thoughts, Rolling
Snow Dissipated By A Smile.

Yes, A Thought Of A Smile Underneath
The Solaced Tremored Waves Saying
Good Bye, Good Bye...

Although I didn't know Ben personally, I learned a lot about him
through my sister Wanda, who works with his Dad. My prayers are with
the whole family at this time. I know the real shock has not had time
to set in. But when it does I know you will really need the prayers,
so you will remain in my Prayers. With all my prayers. Diane

Ben, Even as time and space kept us apart, it was great to see you at Brandi's wedding. You were my favorite cousin. You were so funny and kind hearted. I felt like we had been close all our lives. And everyone in this family feels the same way. I'm so happy I had the chance to dance with you. And I bet you are the best angel that God has right now. Thank you for every life you ever touched and every person who's day you made a little easier, because you did touch my life and thank you for being my cousin. It is definitely an honor for me to know you because you have taught me so much. I will always love you. Say hi to Grandpa Duke for me. God Speed Ben. Love Lauren

Ben, I'm so glad of the memories that I have of you. I find myself remembering more and more on a day to day basis. I'm so sorry that the whole world couldn't have known sooner about how wonderful, devoted, and unselfish you were. I am proud to say that you are my cousin and I'm trying daily to model my life after yours. We can all learn something from you that no one else could have taught us. You are the most perfect, decent example of a human being made in the likeness of God, and we will all try on a daily basis to become more and more like you. You're my one true hero. I love you Ben. Love, Abby

Ben, your life has ended much too soon and I cry every time to think you past away so soon and you had so much potential for the future so now I tell myself that I shall try to carry out apart of you. It was wonderful to see you at Brandi's wedding and it was also an honor to teach and dance the polka with you. While I was at your house your Mom told me I was exactly like you because of the embarrassing things I accidentally said while I was there...so great minds think alike. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you and everyone told me that you did a perfect Austin Powers "o' behave", and every time Aunt Pooky emailed me there was usually something about you in it always, like your scholarship for academic and military excellence and you were leaving for Fort Knox's soon. So Ben I'm sad that you are not here but happy that you are at peace so Godspeed and it was an honor to be your cousin and I Love You! Love always, -- Lindsay

We were so sorry to hear from Beth Rayna that Ben had passed away. From reading the web site, it is quite obvious that he was a remarkable person who brought great joy to others in life and was very much loved.

May God hold you and your family close to his heart along with Ben during this time of sorrow. I will keep you in my prayers. I know someday you will see him again, and until that time, may your tears be few and your smiles be many. The Sietsemas