| From the Patriot Ledger patriotledger.com
01/19/12:
Norwood soldier killed in Afghanistan
By Brad Cole
Wicked Local Norwood
Posted Jan 19, 2012 @ 09:46 PM
NORWOOD —
A soldier from Norwood has been reported killed in Afghanistan.
Army Spc. Keith D. Benson, 27, of Norwood died Wednesday. He was serving as a combat medic with the U.S. Army. His unit information was not immediately available.
An email from Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations said Benson’s body was to arrive at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware Thursday night.
Benson graduated from Norwood High School in 2002.
A neighbor, Alan Bouffard, said he was shocked to hear of Benson’s death.
“I’m just so sorry. My heart goes out to the family,” Bouffard said. “He was a good kid. He didn’t get himself in trouble, he was friendly, and he had close relationships with all the members of his family.”
Benson took his work seriously, and he already had plans for when he returned from serving in Afghanistan, Bouffard said.
“He was very interested in the work he was doing in the service (as a medic), and he was interested in becoming an EMT when he got out,” Bouffard said.
Others are remembering Benson on his Facebook page.
“The world has lost an amazing man who had a heart of gold,” wrote Kimberly Butters. “You were always there when I needed a break from reality, and you always could make me laugh when I was down. We reconnected a few months ago, yet I never told you how truly thankful I am for your friendship. I will miss you my friend, you take with you a piece of my heart.”
“It feels like only yesterday we were going to the 2001 Senior Prom, singing in Concert Choral, or just hanging out talking about life,” wrote Marybeth Rodriguez. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for protecting our home.”
The Gillooly Funeral Home in Norwood is handling Benson’s funeral arrangements.
Gillooly and Norwood’s veterans services office said the family is not commenting at this time.
“The family is requesting privacy during this time of great loss and grief, and there will be no comments from this office,” the veterans office said in a statement Thursday. |
