THE WALL OF FACES

Remembering you Champ. Although most of the family and I never got to meet you, we'll never forget the sacrifice you and many others gave- answering the call in service to our Country.
Thank You Tio Benjamin, even though your term in this life ended at age 23, you began a new everlasting on in the celestial presence of our Father, our Savior. Though the past few years researching and learning about your life makes me wish I got to meet you, I know I will someday.

To my dearest cousin, Ben. In September it will be 55 years since you’ve been gone (I can’t say “died,” because you live on in the hearts and memories of those who love you). The night before you shipped out, Sam and I took you to dinner at the “Elegant Farmer” in Jack London Square. We stayed until the restaurant was closing, trying to hang on to you as long as we could before you shipped out the next morning. You were my partner in so many trips into San Francisco, sharing dinner at the cafeteria at Oakland City College before our night classes, having long discussions about philosophy, history, religion and, of course, sports-you were the Dodger fan and I loved the Giants! When I married and moved to LA, you came to visit and we spent the week driving all over and going to coffeehouses in the evening, in one we heard a wonderful classical guitarist from Spain. Your piano-playing was exquisite- the last night you were in church you played your own arrangement of “There Is A Fountain,” using all 88 keys of the piano! I still can’t hear it without thinking of you. I wish we had had more time to make even more wonderful memories, but I will always cherish the ones we made and am so grateful for the time we had. You were a wonderful cousin who filled my life with so much joy, fun and beautiful memories. You made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and for that we honor and thank you.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Audry Balli is touching. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

I was the escort officer for Ben when he came home to Oakland.Having returned from RVN in Jan of 68, I was reminded what serious business we were in. I felt so bad for the family members who were broken up but wonderful to me. I didn' know that Benjamin and I had graduated from the same 55th OCS company at the time. Bless your family.

First Lieutenant Benjamin Frank Castaneda, Served with Advisory Team 60, Headquarters, Military Assistance Command Vietnam Advisors, Military Assistance Command Vietnam, United States Army Vietnam.