Army Spc. Benjamin G. Moore was killed in Afghanistan on January 12th, 2011, while traveling in a vehicle with four other men. They hit an improvised explosive device on a mission to clear the roads from danger. Ben, the driver specialist, along with two other men, Corporal Jared King, the gunner from Erie, PA, and Sergeant Omar Aceves, a father of six from Texas, perished.

Growing up, Ben rode his bike all over town. He knew everybody, and everybody knew him. Even the mayor of his hometown of Bordentown, NJ, said he’d be a good politician someday. However, as Ben grew older, he began to ride his bike to the fire station at 14 years old. Ben wanted to be respected, and he took the steps necessary to gain respect and wear the uniform of both a firefighter and an EMT. At 16, as a junior in high school, Ben began his fire academy certifications, and eventually, Ben was a volunteer firefighter for at least 10 local fire stations, achieving the position of Lieutenant. The proudest moment of Ben’s grandfather’s life was when Ben, as an EMT, came to the rescue simultaneously with his police officer cousin at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in their hometown of Bordentown.

His parents, Pat and Amy Moore, only later learned, after his death, of his multitude of experiences as an EMT and firefighter. Individuals came forward with stories of birth, death, and other life events involving Benjamin. His parents realize that even at the young age of 23, Benjamin had an impact on many and gained the respect of many more, and his mother, Amy, says that even at a young age, Ben was a wise soul.

Recently, Pat and Amy started Gold Star Patriots, a foundation to recognize and honor Gold, Blue, Silver, and White Star family members, to help other Gold Stars like the Michael Strange Foundation has helped them. Pat reflects that he wasn’t taking care of himself, and going to the foundation events, sharing words, crying, and being with people feeling the same pain has helped immensely.

John Douangdara has been a dog lover his entire life, from his first childhood dog, ironically named Charles, to his final dog, Bart. John and Charles the dog went hunting and fishing. Truly Charles was John’s best friend. Michael and John were very close friends. They worked together on missions including tours in Iraq with SEAL Team 4. They were stationed together in Hawaii from 2004 – 2006.

John’s father, Sid, is pictured above with Charlie Strange. The two first met in Arlington in 2011. Michael is buried next to John.

Sid said that both his side of the family and John’s mother’s side of the family are both military. So, when John decided to join the Navy, Sid celebrated that night by taking John out to dinner. Sid’s continued pride for his son shines today. Sid’s priorities that he teaches his kids and grandkids are country, community, and family.

John’s sister followed in his footsteps and also joined the Navy, she is deployed in the Middle East today. Sid enthusiastically says he has 7 grandchildren and the 3 boys have already agreed to join the service!

Each year Sid has a cookout for John’s friends and family, with the food donated by his employer Tyson. This year’s cookout is August 10th, just a few days after the anniversary of John’s death on Extortion 17. John was a critical member of SEAL Team 6. He was a great handler for Bart the Warrior Dog who also perished on August 6th, 2011.

John is memorialized and honored with Bart in Siouxland Freedom Park in South Sioux City, Nebraska at the John Douangdara Memorial War Dog Park and also in Washington D.C.

Sid had the opportunity to join the Michael Strange Foundation at a Gold Star Weekend Workshop in Philadelphia, PA.