SSG Benjamin Lewis Monument

For the purchase of a grave marker for SSG Ben Lewis from Arnet's Monuments in Ann Arbor MI that matches his step sons monument at Oak Grove Cemetary 104 E Middle St in Chelsea Michigan. 

http://arnetsmonuments.com/

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On the left is the final resting place of SSG Benjamin Lewis. On the right is his step son SPC Donald (Donnie) R. McCune.

Both were soldiers of the United States of America who gave thier life for thier country. SSG Lewis was a retired soldier from Michigan Army National Guard that served two tours of duty in Iraq who shortly after his retirement drifted off his VA treatment and finally succumbed to the nightmares of PTSD. He took his own life on May 7th, 2013 leaving behind a wife and family to tend the farm outside of Lapeer Michigan. Donnie was killed as a direct result of combat in Iraq on August 5th, 2004.

Because Donnie was killed on active duty his SGLI (Serviceman’s Group Life Insurance) and other Army death benefits where able to pay for a proper memorial in a cemetery of the family’s choosing at Oak Grove Cemetary in Chelsea Michigan. On the other hand, when SSG Lewis died, there were no SGLI or service related benefits that would pay for his burial beside his step son Donnie. Enough money was raised privately to only buy the plot but no memorial was erected.

As one may surmise, this combined  loss is one that very few spouses and mothers in the history of the armed services have had to endure. Ben’s wife Darcy, and mother of Donnie, had within a few years sacrificed the men in her family to defend this country in a foreign war. Even though Ben chose the means of his final farewell, the PTSD he acquired along with many of his former comrades in arms is a proven killer of service men, long after they served in this nations battles. Ben deserves the same burial that his son has received but it is not in the scope of the US military or the government to provide that. I am not writing this in the hopes to change policy or apply blame. I only hope to see the mission accomplished regardless of cost. This is where his friends and former team mates come in.

I am SGT Jason A. Quayle, US Army Veteran 84-92 and veteran of the 156th Sig Bn, MI ARNG 92-01. From 1993 until 1997 PFC (Private First Class) Ben Lewis was my team mate. During this time Ben was the best friend I have ever had. We would have easily given our lives for one another. I will never have again a friend as solid as he was. I refuse to let Ben pass away into eternity without the proper recognition due a veteran of the US Army that gave his country his all.

Please donate to my Go Fund Me to help with the purchase of a monunment for SSG Lewis that matches SPC McCune. This campaign is fully authorized by Ben's widow Darcry Monier in Lapeer Michigan.

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.

And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind."

Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam