Ben was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment out of Fort Benning, Georgia just a few months after he graduated high school. He did two tours in Iraq, before being deployed to Afghanistan. About 3/4ths of the way through that deployment, they were on a mission to take out a high value target. They became pinned down by taliban fighters, including the sniper mentioned earlier. He was targeted by the sniper and hit in the leg. His unit was able to eventually pull back and got him on a helicopter and evacuated. He was sent back to Walter Reed after surgery, but he succumbed to his injury 8 days later.
The immediate affect of his death to those in the unit was one of deep loss, anger and pain.The lasting affects have been something else entirely. His mother, Jill Stephenson, has a page on Gold Star Moms that tells quite a bit of Ben's story. From his early days idolizing his Great Grandfather, Leroy, who served during WW2, through the days after 9-11 when he decided to join the Army, to his final days and beyond.
Ben made it known that he wanted to be an organ donor. His decision is said to have helped around 60 people, some of them in major ways. One of those people received Ben's heart. Ben's mother has since met her and they have become quite colse, as you can imagine. She also met the ones that received his liver and kidneys. Ben fought for the lives of his comrades and others while serving, and in his death, he gave life to several people. His heart beats on.
I was touched by his story and everything he did. He gave his life so that others may live. In more ways than one, that is true. Cpl Benjamin Kopp is most definitely the definition of a hero. He is fondly remembered as such by many. I hope this allows a few more to get to know him and understand what some of our service members go through.
Thank you Corporal Benjamin Kopp. You made a huge difference in your life and we will not forget that.
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