BENJAMIN H. GEARHEART
Memorial Day 2001

In memory of our son LCPL Benjamin H. Gearheart who died on 8/27/1997.
During a training maneuver his LAV went down a 1200 ft. embankment at
Camp Pendleton Ca. Ben was a third generation Marine.
12/24/74 - 8/27/97
You were so proud to be
serving your country
Yes son...
the great "Red, White, & Blue

Your great sense of humor
and kindness to others
I'm sure...
helped carry you through

Know that this Memorial day
with every breath I take
I'm still...
Your Mother Missing You

May you rest in peace my precious "Chubby Cheeks"
You are not forgotten! A Soldier Marching forever In Grace


A poem Ben sent me while in Boot Camp...

"The Will To Become"

The lights go out
and I look around
Everything is silent
but I hear the sound
of recruits hearts beating
at a very fast pace
To become a United States Marine
and be a part of the race
Waiten to awake
with the hunger in their eyes
with one thing on their minds
....and that's semper fi
Saying, if I die
....before I wake
Please remember this recruit
had the faith

Benny G
My mind is  flooded with many memories of you today my son.

I would like to share the inscription on Ben's grave marker  today if I may.

I lived my life with such a passion, a smile
     always on my face.  My love was
    to put one on yours, may this you
   forever embrace.  To see you happy,
   to see you smile, made my life here,
    very worthwhile.  I've gone ahead
  to my Father's place, a soldier marching
     forever in grace.  Wear that smile,
              be happy for me,
        we'll meet again for eternity.

              You are not alone,
             I am here with you.
           Though you're far away,
             I am here to stay.
                Alrighty Then,

                   Benny G


Sadly Missed By Mom, Dad, and brothers     
Frank, Jeremy, and Brad.
                      Most Americans are not aware that up to
                 1800 of our GI s die every year in training accidents.
                       I sadly was one of the uninformed.
                        He had been in for three years.
                    I worried myself sick while he was in Kuwait
                and was so relieved when he returned to American soil.
                     Three Marines at my door changed that.
                       Ben was a third generation Marine.
                      I miss him so much I just can't stand it.

                        May you rest in peace Benny G
                             12-24-74 / 8-27-97
                            Love you,
                       Gold Star Mom - Brenda Gearheart
ADDITIONAL LINKS AND PHOTOS WILL BE ADDED SOON
It is a long story but Ben loved Michael Jackson.
When his things came home there was a VERY used CD.  It was 'You Are Not
Alone".  His Fellow Marines later told me he knew all the words and would
play it over and over and just sing it at the top of his lungs.  I felt as
if that song was just for me when I first played it.  Inside the CD cover was
an angel (another long story)  I just lost it when I saw it.
BACKGROUND MUSIC
'YOU ARE NOT ALONE'