A few words from Mum..
Benji, my son, my hero.
I have thought long and hard as to what to write which would enable you, the reader, to understand who Benji was.
Memories come flooding to mind and whilst I know that memories are selective, I’m aware how all bring a smile to my face, even causing laughter. The reason is simple. Benji was known for his mischievous humor, his alluring and devilish smile as he exuded warmth, caring and concern. There were no hidden agendas as he listened intensely to each person making you feel special, whether you knew him for an hour or a lifetime. He was like a magnet, attracting people from all walks of life to him. Benji was the one to be trusted, relied upon, an honest broker, the fun loving and generous one. In other words, we all wanted to be around him.
However, Benji had another side to him where he was serious, demonstrated incredible responsibility, strong leadership, fairness and a never faulting moral compass, a strong sense of duty and always great passion for the country. Benji was dedicated to instilling these values in his soldiers, setting them an example and never demanding anything that he wouldn’t do himself.
A quality, sometimes not recognized enough by our society, is compassion. Benji had the ability to give support and compassion to friends, family and soldiers alike. He managed to find the balance when giving practical solutions to someone’s problems to play down the drama, the pain, the lack of confidence, that moment of self-doubt and make the person appreciate their self-worth.
His own path was not always easy, but he followed his own mantra, “It’s all in the mind”.
In 33 years, he managed to achieve so much, influence and impact so many people, all with modesty and understatement. He lived by an impossible timetable balancing all elements of his life, maximizing every second with no time to waste.
In addition to what I’ve described, he still managed to volunteer, give generously of himself and his income to charities he supported from Holocaust Survivors to disabled children, follow his love for CrossFit, physical activities - the more extreme the better: tennis, marine sports, scuba and free diving, and kitesurfing.
When asked why he stayed in the army Benji would always reply that he was protecting his family. This he did unwaveringly. He was present, in body or in mind, even though his time was not always his. His love for his sister saw him as her protector, partners and each other’s support. Rotem, his fiancée, was the true love of his life and we will forever hold her close to us.
As my son, I miss him, his teasing, his hugs , his enormous appetite, and his ability to see right through me. I thank him for teaching me so much in his life and, no less, by his death. I will treasure the memories, smile back at his picture knowing I had the privilege of raising, loving and treasuring a real officer and gentleman extraordinaire.
Liz Bennett
​
