went down this past week. His reservation in Valhalla is secure...
http://2theadvocate.com/stories/101105/new_soldier001.shtml
Hammond mourns soldier
By VIC COUVILLION
Special to The Advocate
HAMMOND -- Pfc. Benny S. Franklin, 19, of Hammond, a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division who was described by his high school principal as a leader in the school's Jr. ROTC program, died Friday from injuries he sustained while on patrol in Afghanistan.
According to information from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., Franklin was mortally wounded when he stepped on a land mine near the town of Gereshk in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Franklin, a 2004 graduate of Hammond High School, was a radio telephone operator for a forward observer team assigned to A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.
Franklin was assigned to the 82nd Airborne in December 2004.
According to Maj. Amy Hannah of the 82nd Airborne's Public Information Office at Fort Bragg, Franklin stepped on the land mine at about 4:30 a.m. while on patrol with his battalion.
Gwen Myers, principal of Hammond High School, said Franklin "took a leadership role in ROTC while he was a student here. Benny was a really good student and he made very good grades. He was popular with all our students."
Myers said Franklin enrolled at Hammond High School just before his junior year, after moving to Hammond from Mississippi.
Myers said Franklin had visited the high school shortly before his deployment to Afghanistan earlier this year.
Repeated attempts to contact members of Franklin's family for comment were unsuccessful.
Franklin's supervisor, Capt. Gregory Martin, says in a news release issued by the 82nd Airborne that PFC Franklin "was a young man who enjoyed life to the fullest and performed all of his duties as a paratrooper to the highest degree of excellence.
"He was well liked and respected by all who knew him," Martin says. "His easy smile and dedication to duty will always be remembered by his fellow paratroopers and family and will serve as a shining example for us all."
Sgt. 1st Class Gail Babbel, who contacted the family about Franklin's death, said Monday the funeral service for the paratrooper is planned for early next week. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Richardson Funeral Home in Hammond.
The religious service will be held at the Seventh Day Adventist Church on North Cherry Street in Hammond at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 17. Burial will be in Holly Gardens Cemetery in Hammond.
A memorial service was held for Franklin in Afghanistan on Monday.
According to the 82nd Airborne Division, Franklin's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Parachutist's Badge.
Franklin is survived by his mother, Wanda D. Tillis, and his father, Benny D. Jackson, according the 82nd Airborne news release.
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19-years-old and out front. Forward observer to call the location for artillery. On one of those damned "pre-dawn" patrols. If you've ever been in combat facing a superior numerical force you understand what difference accurate artillery, and the brave men up front who spot it, are.
This young black man is my brother, I didn't know him personally, but I pray
to see him one day...after I wade that last river and stand beside that last tree.
A Southern Man who upheld a great tradition of service. Salute.