Page 139 - some-stuff-i-wrote-and-some-stuff-i-didn't-(2011)-h-morris-williams

Some Stuff I Wrote (2001) H. Morris Williams

alone for a long time feeling sorry for myself. I knew the mix-up in the program was bothering

me but I also felt guilty. I was thinking about me when I should have been thinking about Benjamin
Duke.

I left the truck and headed toward my scoutmaster, L. O. Collier. 1 knew I could depend on
him to help me feel better.
Suddenly, I was in her arms and felt her soft kiss, and her tears on my cheek.

“I am Benjamin Duke’s mother,” she said. “I have felt such a burden since he left us. Today,
I felt part of my burden lifted. Your prayer helped me so much I will always remember it.”

Back home, a week later, I got a letter from her. In part of her letter she recalled my prayer
almost word for word. That’s how I can recall it now. She asked me to write her from time to time.

I never did. Fourteen year olds don’t write many letters. I wish I had written her. I never heard from
her again.

Recently, I traveled to the Ocean Pond recreation area to see the memorial plaque. It is still
there. The plaque reminded me that a young forester gave his life for his country 51 years ago, and

that a grateful country memorialized his supreme sacrifice the best way it knew how.
The plaque also reminded me of Benjamin’s grieving mother and the high price she had paid

for giving her son to our country.
Rest in peace, Benjamin Duke - and all the Benjamin Dukes of American history.
Memorial Day is for you.

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