“Forever Loved, Never Forgotten”
The Navy Gold Star Program is eternally grateful for the sacrifice of those Service Members who have died in service to our country. To help us to never forget, we have set up this tribute page to honor and remember the memory of those lives. If you would like to honor the memory of your Sailor, Soldier, Marine, Airman or Coast Guardsman through the Navy Gold Star website please submit your thoughts and a photo.
Ben was interested in racing from an early age. During the summer of 2004 he started working for DC racing engines in Denver. DC became the head engine builder for Furniture Row Racing, a NASCAR team based in Denver. Ben was living his dream. He enlisted in the Army after his best friend, Nick, was killed in the Middle East. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne in Fort Campbell as a truck driver. His intention was to spend his hitch in the Army and then become a transport driver for a NASCAR team. His dreams were cut short when at the age of 19. His Sargent said that others on his team had 100 hours of driving time, Ben had over 300 because every time that they called a mission, he was there standing tall. My world turned upside down when I got the phone call and then the casualty officers showed up at my door. Nothing can prepare you as you watch your child being lowered into the ground and then be presented with the flag that draped his coffin. I miss him every single day.