CW2 Benny M. Traylor

July 16, 2005

  I was honored to serve with Benny Traylor and the rest of the Rhino's in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom; a very intense time of our lives. And because of that experience I feel like we all got to know each other very well.

  I wanted to come right out and say that Benny was a Hero. But it seems like today that being a hero is such a cliche. I mean if you can hit a ball with a wooden stick over the fence on TV you are called a hero in the United States. So then I struggled with this question of how do you measure this man?

  Looking out at everyone here I realize that Benny was many things to many people he was a Soldier, Aviator, Friend, Son, Husband and a Father.

  As a Soldier and Aviator you are often measured by the medals on your chest or the certificates on your wall. But Benny is here in his flight suit, about the most humble uniform in the army inventory. He is wearing his combat patch and his Senior Army Aviator wings. I guess he was too humble to wear his greens with his air medals and campaign ribbons and the dozen or so other badges and accoutrements that he earned in his 16 plus years of service. But that is how Benny was, hardworking and humble.

  Every member of the battalion can remember a time that Benny was removing a panel from an Apache and troubleshooting a system. Sure he started out as an Armament soldier, but now he was a Pilot did he need to be getting his hands dirty like that? Or what about his selfless service. Do you all remember at Ft Bragg when Benny showed up at the cold weather survival M16 qualification range with Pizza, drinks and hot coffee. Or who among us could have scrounged enough BBQ in the middle of a combat zone to allow the Rhino's to cookout on weekends.

  But Benny wasn't just some odd jobs guy. He was truly a professional Aviator. He was the first among us to engage the enemy, protecting U.S. soldiers on the ground who were being attacked. Our Instructor Pilots recognized Benny's strength and transitioned him to serve as a Pilot in Command; the only PIC that was minted during our combat tour. Benny volunteered to go on every mission to the Forward Operating Bases because he knew that was where the Apache was needed most in spite of the harsher conditions.

  Benny was a very gregarious and giving Friend. It's easy to see Benny's friends in the company and the Battalion. But who can forget the time that Benny came back to our shoddy tents at Fire Base Orgun with a group of tough looking Afghan hombres each carrying a tray of Chi Tea for all the lads..I mean where did that come from? And then I find out that Benny set up a dinner with all the Warrant officers and these Afghan National Army guys. Now how does a guy that doesn't speak a lick of Pashtun from NC get a dinner invitation from former mujahadeen fighters? I am also convinced that whole generations of rug and vase merchants are being raised in Afghanistan on the legend of the mustached American who strikes a hard bargain. Benny was a tough negotiator but he also gave shoes, clothes and gifts to the Afghan children. He loved to see the Afghan kids smile when he brought them some goodies. I think it helped ease the pain of being away from his kids.

  Every day we were at the main camp Benny would get up early and go to our little Company Shack to try and call Rose and the Kids. Adam, Sarah, Hannah, Rachel, and Seth he loved you all so much and he wanted to give you so much. Every one of us was exposed to a Benny lecture as he gave word to the next kid to get on the phone and prepare to receive guidance. Rose I can remember seeing Benny just finishing the run around Bagram he was sweating and he told me he wanted to look good for you when we got back. Benny loved you all very much and he wore his love for you proudly. I really don't think Benny minded the 6 hour missions, the lack of sleep, the policy changes the heat the cold the real physical dangers that he faced while flying in Afghanistan. No I think it just bothered him that he was away from you Rose.it frustrated him that he couldn't be home taking care of his family. Ben and Christine Traylor you raised a wonderful boy who became a man that has touched the lives of everyone here.

  Benny served with courage and honor in a War that is difficult for some people to understand. While doing that he maintained his honor and integrity with out losing his humanity. Make no mistake about it Benny's deeds and actions allowed others to return home to their loved ones. So was Benny a real hero? The answer is yes in every measure. CW2 Benny Traylor was a man in full and we will miss him dearly.

MAJ John E. Burger USA