Benedict Joseph Smith

West Point, 1999

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Bryan Dunn on October 20, 2004:

I was on duty the day that Ben died. I remember the horror in the brigade operations center when the word came in over the radio that we'd lost an aircraft. There was confusion, disbelief, and anger. I know that I couldn't believe it. I either saw Ben, or spoke with him on the phone at least 10 times a day ever since the war had started. He was the battalion battle captain, I was the brigade one. I could not stand being in Iraq. I hated my job, I hated the conditions, I hated the war. But truth be told, calling or talking to Ben really did lift my spirits up. I consider myself blessed to have been given the chance to get to know Ben-even for the short time I did. The same goes for his wife Maggie. She is a very strong woman. She met the planes of returning 159th AVN soldiers while she was home after Ben's death. That took great courage. God bless you Ben, may he welcome you home. May God grant mercy and comfort to you Maggie. Bryan Dunn '98

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