Monday, September 7, 2020
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Watching AHC tonight and a soldier mentioned some guys you serve with you never forget, I immediately thought of Bennie so I looked him up and am heartbroken to find him here. I first saw Bennie at improsessing at ft.bliss may 1984. Was in a medical bldg standing in line to a large room. Bennie was 4-6 guys ahead of me next in line to enter the room. Drills yelled out "next" and he just stood there. Again they yelled out "next" he slowly walked in and now that the gentle giant was out of the doorway I could see inside. Medical techs standing in 2 lines for you to walk between them for multiple shots in each arm. Bennie took to small steps then began to run and dodge all saying "No Needles". Talking to him later learning about his time in H.S. football I understand how he evaded them all for so long. He closed his eyes and clinched his teeth and got shots like the rest of us. Through basic training he showed up most of us with his strength yet good hearted nature even though drill sgts wasn't wanting to see a smile Bennie had one. As I write this I realized today Sept 7, 2020 is the 36 anniversary of us graduating basic. We both were then stationed at Ft. Riley Kansas. Fall of "84" was another memory I hope age never takes from me. It was kinda cold and gray day when after formation we were walking to the barracks and I heard Bennie saying "big Dave, big Dave" (was my nickname at 5 ft 7 150lbs would be like calling him tiny ,lol) I looked over at him and his eyes as big as saucers that were twinkling partly from the cold wind partly from happiness. His smile was bigger than I had ever seen looked up into the sky and said "snow... I never saw snow before". At which time he stuck out his tongue trying to catch snowflakes. Me being from Chicago suburbs saw too much snow at that point but his joy was contagious and a few if us joined in with him. After we moved up to newer barracks on Custer Hill Bennie and I shared a room for 6-8 months. I was in our room and he came in so excited one late afternoon and said he just re-enlisted and was going to Germany. That's my last memory of him though I have thought of him and told these stories of him to my wife and daughter's through the years. We weren't extremely close but I cared about him and think of him often. To all if his family, I want you to know many cared,respected and now miss Bennie. My heart hurts tonight thinking of your loss. Hold tight to your love and memories for him until you are once again together. Love and best wishes to you from myself and my family.
Stanley M. (Big Dave) Davis
