Donation protected
For those of you who know Ben, you already know he is a proud fighting patriot of twenty years in the U.S. Army. Prior to serving his Country, Ben attended Monte Vista High School and played Monarch football while he also served as President of the Monte Vista Choir and a Thespian in the drama department. Ben graduated in 2001 and already decided he wanted to serve his country and joined the U.S. Army shortly after graduating. Ben has a big heart and has generously donated to the football program as well as performing arts in the past.
Ben is an Army helicopter/Airplane pilot and served a tour in Iraq, four tours in Afghanistan, totaling four in a half years in combat plus 2 tours to Korea and 2 to Europe. Most of Ben’s twenty year military career has been spent overseas. Four years ago, Ben met his future wife Maryorie while he was deployment to Afghanistan. Maryorie is a Major serving in the Army and has served four combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan.
A year after meeting and dating, Ben and Maryorie decided to marry. During that year, Ben was introduced to Michael, Maryorie’s young eight year old son from her previous marriage. While Maryorie never told Michael he had to call Ben “Dad,” Michael chose to recognize him as such. The happy family of three welcomed the addition of baby Emiliani almost three years ago and they became a family of four. Michael was now a big brother and crazy about his little baby sister. The little Hegard family was happy and growing, all the while both Ben and Maryorie continued to serve our country wherever their orders directed them. Sometimes this meant long periods of time that both Ben and Maryorie were ordered to deploy, leaving their two children with Maryorie’s Aunt, who lives with them.
Sadly, on one of those occasions Michael tragically had an accident and succumbed to his injuries on September 27, 2020 at 12:17 p.m. Devastation and heartbreak can’t even begin to describe what this little family is experiencing. Michael was their everything; they lost their only son and Emiliani lost her big brother.
Michael’s short twelve years on this earth were filled with travel adventures most of us will never experience in a lifetime; but he had other interests as well such as playing video games with friends, soccer, and martial arts. He was also a gifted pianist and he loved playing with his baby sister. This year he was to start playing tight end on his Pop Warner Football Team. Michael’s team has dedicated their entire football season to his memory and each player wears his initials on their helmet in his honor.
Given the manner in which Michael lost his life, one can only imagine the unforeseen expenses. Of course there are funeral and burial expenses, but there are also the added expenses of repairs and replacement of the area (room) where Michael had his accident. The room damages have added up and this young family has become overextended in debt. Ben and Maryorie give up their lives each and every day in service to their country and they would help anyone in need. For them, and the memory of their young son Michael, I am establishing this GoFundMe to help ease the financial pain they’ve had to incur during this tragic time. Please donate if you can: Once a Monarch, always a Monarch.
Ben is an Army helicopter/Airplane pilot and served a tour in Iraq, four tours in Afghanistan, totaling four in a half years in combat plus 2 tours to Korea and 2 to Europe. Most of Ben’s twenty year military career has been spent overseas. Four years ago, Ben met his future wife Maryorie while he was deployment to Afghanistan. Maryorie is a Major serving in the Army and has served four combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan.
A year after meeting and dating, Ben and Maryorie decided to marry. During that year, Ben was introduced to Michael, Maryorie’s young eight year old son from her previous marriage. While Maryorie never told Michael he had to call Ben “Dad,” Michael chose to recognize him as such. The happy family of three welcomed the addition of baby Emiliani almost three years ago and they became a family of four. Michael was now a big brother and crazy about his little baby sister. The little Hegard family was happy and growing, all the while both Ben and Maryorie continued to serve our country wherever their orders directed them. Sometimes this meant long periods of time that both Ben and Maryorie were ordered to deploy, leaving their two children with Maryorie’s Aunt, who lives with them.
Sadly, on one of those occasions Michael tragically had an accident and succumbed to his injuries on September 27, 2020 at 12:17 p.m. Devastation and heartbreak can’t even begin to describe what this little family is experiencing. Michael was their everything; they lost their only son and Emiliani lost her big brother.
Michael’s short twelve years on this earth were filled with travel adventures most of us will never experience in a lifetime; but he had other interests as well such as playing video games with friends, soccer, and martial arts. He was also a gifted pianist and he loved playing with his baby sister. This year he was to start playing tight end on his Pop Warner Football Team. Michael’s team has dedicated their entire football season to his memory and each player wears his initials on their helmet in his honor.
Given the manner in which Michael lost his life, one can only imagine the unforeseen expenses. Of course there are funeral and burial expenses, but there are also the added expenses of repairs and replacement of the area (room) where Michael had his accident. The room damages have added up and this young family has become overextended in debt. Ben and Maryorie give up their lives each and every day in service to their country and they would help anyone in need. For them, and the memory of their young son Michael, I am establishing this GoFundMe to help ease the financial pain they’ve had to incur during this tragic time. Please donate if you can: Once a Monarch, always a Monarch.
Organizer and beneficiary
MARIBETH BOSTICK
Organizer
El Paso, TX
Benjamin Hegard
Beneficiary