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Dan Plutchak / Stateline News (Beloit, Wis.)
With its porch lights on, a home on Center Street in Orfordville is adorned with American Flags in honor of Cpl. Benjamin Neal, 21, who died April 25 in Kandahar Province in Afghanistan. Residents are keeping their porch lights on until Neal's body returns home to be buried.
On April 25, Cpl. Benjamin H. Neal, 21, died in Afghanistan after his unit was attacked with an improvised explosive device.
Neal's passing shocked his hometown of Orfordville, Wis., (pop. 1,321) which had not seen a combat death since World War I, according to the local American Legion chapter.
Soon after Neal's death, two of his cousins launched a Facebook page in his name, urging family members and friends to leave their porch lights on until Neal's remains returned home.
US Army
This undated photo provided by the the U.S. Army, shows Cpl. Benjamin Neal, who was killed in Afghanistan on April 25.
Denise Neal, one of the page's organizers, said the idea originated in a conversation between herself, her sister and their aunt. They wanted to collectively express their grief and show their support to Neal's parents, and chose leaving a porch light on after deciding that having candles lit all day was too dangerous.
"My impression of it is when you go out at night and your parents leave the light on until you come home, it’s kind of like that," Neal said.
Neal decided to reach out to family members and friends with the idea through Facebook. Soon the original recipients had invited their friends and so on.
More than 5,200 people have joined "Lighting The Way To Bring Ben Home." A Google map shows the locations of homes across the country where people have pledged to leave a light on. Most of the blue dots representing each house are concentrated near Orfordville, but some are as far away as Alberta, Canada; Landstuhl, Germany; and Bristol, England.
"It's really neat to drive through the area," said Neal, who lives near Orfordville. "When [the lights] are on in the day, you know that’s what it’s about. It's very emotional."
The Facebook page has also filled with condolence messages from friends and strangers.
Jon Martin, an Army soldier, posted that he attended basic training with Neal and was in the same brigade. "I have lots of good memories with him and still regularly tell the story of when he 'liberated' a book from the drill sergeant's office and read it aloud for everyone to enjoy in our down time," Martin wrote. "I added my 'light' to the map in Kandahar, Afghanistan."
Kristin Stephenson wrote, "You and your family are in my heart and prayers during this time of sorrow. I thank you and yours of [sic] your sacrifice. Lights are on in Rockford, IL."
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"This is a very nice gesture and way to show support for the family," said John Raughter, communications director for the American Legion.
Raughter likened the porch light campaign to the tradition of displaying a gold star banner, which signifies that a loved one has been killed in war. "These banners, which are only displayed by the families of those who served or are serving, were visible signals to communities and neighborhoods that they should rally around the family to show support," Raughter said. "What seems unique about this is the Facebook involvement. It’s a great use of social media."
The campaign will come to an end Saturday; Neal's remains are scheduled to return to Orfordville at 9 a.m.
Karl Stuvengen, a representative of the local American Legion chapter and a Navy veteran of the Iraq war, said Neal's death has been difficult for Orfordville. "In a community this size, everybody knows everybody," he said.
Stuvengen, 52, who was deployed to Iraq in 2006 and 2007, said he went to school with Neal's parents and his nephew graduated from high school with Neal. There are memories, Stuvengen said, of walking Neal down the street and playing sports with him -- "all the things to remember."
Stuvengen said he was proud of how the town had offered its help.
Neal's sister had been studying in Switzerland when she learned of his death. The local American Legion chapter and state office covered the $2,000 cost of her plane ticket home.
Larry Eckhardt, known as Larry the Flag Man, called from Illinois to volunteer installing flags throughout Orfordville, which he has done for other service member funerals. Volunteers are helping with the flags and town residents are hosting Eckhardt for the overnight trip.
The police department helped to create signs commemorating Neal and posted them around town: "The Orfordville Community is Proud to Honor SPC [sic] Benjamin Neal for his meritorious service and sacrifice."
Rock County sheriff's spokesperson Capt. Jude Maurer said the surrounding communities, which are home to 160,000 people, were deeply affected by the news of Neal's death. "It’s at the size where it’s still small enough, it hit home to everybody here," Maurer said. "I haven’t received anything but sadness."
Neal's parents requested that his convoy pass the American Legion, his family's farm and his grandparents' home when it travels through Orfordville on Saturday.
"We’ve been planning all week," said Maurer. "It’s our way of being able to give this tribute in honor and respect."
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A fund has been set up in Neal's name through the local American Legion chapter, and the money will be donated to a charity for children with special needs, a cause important to Neal.
Neal joined the Army in June 2009 and was on his second deployment when he was killed in Afghanistan's Kandahar Province. Neal received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal, among other honors.
"Ben Neal was a charismatic, fun-loving Paratrooper whom I never saw frown," said Lt. Col. Ced Carrington, the 1st Battalion commander, in a statement released by the Army. "He took great pride in being a team leader and was respected by all of Battle Company and throughout the Battalion. Ben was a true Paratrooper in every sense of the word. His loss will be sorely felt by his fellow Paratroopers and the entire 1st Battalion Family."
Rebecca Ruiz is a reporter at msnbc.com. Follow her on Twitter here.
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Leave a Comment:
condolences to the family - and I will pray for the day when no more of our future, our young die on the battlefield. Pray for peace.
Condolences and prayers for his family. God bless our military who make more sacrifices than most folks will ever understand.
Praying for peace.
Thoughts & prayers to this fine soldier, his family, friends & neighbors. We are proud of his service & thankful for all that he did. I love the "lights on" idea. Take care.
I do not support soldiers who volunteer for wars that have nothing to do with our freedom or anyone else's. I will be sure to turn out my lights to make a statement of my own.
You may not support the war, but since those soldiers are out there fighting for you - if you don't appreciate it, go find yourself a nice little house in another flippin' country.
Shandril...there is one word that describes you..."feral".
He has a point...Afghanistan is not a threat to America or our freedom...so he is not really fighting for anybody.
That being said, I'm not going to make any negative statements towards this.
Since 1950s the US is fighting some war or other. While the loss of a young life is utterly sad - and while perhaps - this is not the occasion to politicize the topic - it goes without saying that this death could've been avoided. And all those war mongerers need to think about it.
Shandril-Ben died so you could choose to not turn on your light. When I stand to see his body brought back tomorrow and hug his family. I will tell them you say thank you for your freedom to do so.
Shandril I won't go into much detail, but you know nothing about the military. Our men and women do volunteer for our Armed Forces, but believe me, they don't do so to go to war, to leave home, their loved ones, their comforts, their freedoms and the absolute possibility that they will not return.
So sorry for your lack of knowledge of the U.S. of America and for not having one ounce of empathy, god have mercy on your soul.
God Bless our troops and bless the Neal family in this most difficult time.
Lights on in Auburn WA
Air Force Vet and mother of a combat soldier...Hooah!
Hey dumb ass im one of Ben Neals best friends and i was there when he was killed. You have no idea what you are talking about so why dont you shut your mouth. I know you think being an attention whore is cool but not for things like this. The only reason that you are able to post stuff like this is because of our troops who fight for you to have rights. Why dont u come over to Afghanistan and try to live a life as a woman over here and see how long you last.
Payne,
God bless you and thank you for your selflessness in defending our nation, you represent us well. Please pass along to your unit my personal appreciation for your service, for protecting our freedom, Constitution, and our Nation. Orfordville and Rock County stand proud, tall, and united not only for Ben and his family; but his military brothers and sisters who continue the mission. My thoughts and prayers are with you all that you return to your families alive and well! I know I want nothing more than for all American troops to be back on American soil. God Bless you all!
@Shandril: Wow. And just think.. you're here, able to be a complete c*nt, because they fought for your Freedom to do so.
Granted, I don't believe in Wars myself, but I do believe in those that sacrifice their own freedom, time, life and family, for me, who is a complete stranger, to them. [Regardless if they were a volunteer or not.]
They don't know me, personally, but they do know me as an American - one of their own. Someone in their homeland. Someone who will stand beside them regardless of their stupid [and mostly not needed] actions. They are doing this because they chose to do so, just as you chose to be a c*nt. At least what you're doing here, is not life threatening. So far.
People like you, make it f[beep]ing worse because you have to say some kind of @!$%# to make the military weak and seem worthless. These guys and gals are not worthless. You would not be here at all today, able to write your heartless useless comment, if they were worthless.
Just shut the f[beepk up if you don't have anything nice to f[beep]ing say. And if you don't have any support for, even the ones that volunteer, leave this country. These men and women (and their families) need all the support they can get here, not [so called] people like you taking it down.
And for your info, I was [very] nice here.
What can you say, another soldier lost. Sad. Wish they were all coming home alive today.
@Shandril. This is a hard enough time for the people who love Ben, and for others who have lost a soldier in the war. Have you ever heard the saying "If you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all." You may not believe in the war, but have some consideration for the people who lost loved ones.
My front door light will be left on tonight for the return of this young soldier...it will shone brightly across the Pacific from my homeland, Australia. Blessings to this young mans family and friends....
I'm sorry for the loss of this young man to his family and friends and to our country.
I'm proud that the outpouring of sympathy, love and friendship from people all over the world prove that humanity has a chance at surviving itself.
A regrettable and unnecessary death. However, let's not kid ourselves, while these young men and women would do an exemplary role protecting the homeland, they are certainly not protecting my freedom in the dozen plus wars we have been overtly or covertly involved in since WWII all over the world... Don't kid yourselves.
TO the "people" saying that you will turn your light off or that he was not protecting your freedom, he actually WAS protecting your freedoms. Afghanistan is NOT Iraq, people based Afghanistan attacked us, they killed 3,000 plus civilians on a sunny morning in New York City. I saw it with my own eyes, not on T.V. I smelled the dead burning bodies. They attacked my home where I live and my office where I worked. They also killed Sailors on the U.S.S. Cole, and in several embassy bombings. The government of Afghanistan harbored and protected those responsible and took up arms to defend those who attacked us. Iraq is something reasonable people can disagree over, but NOT Afghanistan. This Soldier was doing what has to be done so that the rest of us don't have to think about the things that most of the rest of the world has to live in fear of everyday.
To the family of this Soldier, thank you, and may time heal your wounds, please know that what your loved one did mattered ,and will never be forgotten as long as I draw breath. The lights are OOOOOONNNNN in Brooklyn !!!! HOOOOOOOAHHHHHH!!!!!!!
NYC-9/11 survivor
Jay,
I cannot even imagine what NYC was like that day. I can tell you our lights were on here for those affected by those events. I cannot, nor would I want to, imagine the sights, sounds, and smells. God Bless you! Just as the nation pulled together at the time of 9/11 this sleepy farm community has done the same for Ben and all of our fallen soldiers protecting our freedom, rights, nation, and Americans everywhere.
In the hustle and bustle of life, many forget or dismiss the fact that our young men and women are in harm's way. Bless this little town for standing tall and lighting their lights to let the world know they honor their fallen and to all of those around the world whose lights are shining.
I grew up in a small community like this and I remember another fallen soldier who I went to school with and played with growing up. He was 20 when he died in Vietnam. When his escort brought him home, they remarked in amazement at the reception they received. They had never seen anything like it and they had made the same journey too many times before.
I'm sure this town will be remembered for their love, compassion and respect to this young man and his family. My deepest condolences to another generation lost to war.
A/noon Crais...So very well said, and to all those pushing their own agenda..there is a time and a place and on this story, it is neither....Was starting to wonder if such a respectful act of turning on a front light to show the world their lost one is coming home and not forgotten was a crime. This simple compassionate act has now gone around the world. And that is not such a bad thing in this day and age, regardless of what you think about war and why we are in it.
We'll leve the light on.
Our light has been on. Today it will go off, Ben comes home today. God bless Ben and the family he leaves behind. We will be eternally grateful to you and the others that fight for us. We hope our small Orfordville community has made you proud as we honor you. It's only because we are so proud of you!! May God comfort your family and protect your brothers still fighting!
Why are we still there? Send our politicians and there familys out there and bring our boys home NOW!! We won't miss any of the politicians they are all crooks anyway. My condolences to the family and all familes that have to suffer such a horrific loss.
We're the family mentioned from Bristol, England. My husband is from Orfordville, WI. Most of his family still lives in the general area. We're a Navy family that is stationed in the UK. I talked to my husband's aunt today and she said the whole town was decorated from flags from the Flag Man. She's 64 and says she's never seen anything like it. Welcome Home Ben.
I am so proud to be a part of this amazing community. It's not just Orfordville that is affected by Ben's death; but the entire county especially the communities in close proximity to Orfordville (Footville, Evansville, Brodhead, Beloit, Janesville, Hanover : just to name a few). There is nothing more powerful than the pulling together of a small rural community. Whenever there is a tragedy small communities like this pull together. Whether its a death, barn fire, terminal illness, whatever the cause....but especially in times like these. Regardless if you know the person or their family; chances are you know someone who loved the person.
I do not know the Neal Family, did not have the honor of knowing Ben. However, his death makes an impact in my life.
I'm PROUD to be a part of the community he grew up a part of. I'm PROUD to be an American. I'm PROUD of Ben for giving the ultimate sacrifice, for you, me, and our nation.
The sea of red, white, and blue is overwhelming.
Shandril: Wow. And just think.. you're here, able to be a complete c*nt, because they fought for your Freedom to do so.
Granted, I don't believe in Wars myself, but I do believe in those that sacrifice their own freedom, time, life and family, for me, who is a complete stranger, to them. [Regardless if they were a volunteer or not.]
They don't know me, personally, but they do know me as an American - one of their own. Someone in their homeland. Someone who will stand beside them regardless of their stupid [and mostly not needed] actions. They are doing this because they chose to do so, just as you chose to be a c*nt. At least what you're doing here, is not life threatening. So far.
People like you, make it f[beep]ing worse because you have to say some kind of @!$%# to make the military weak and seem worthless. These guys and gals are not worthless. You would not be here at all today, able to write your heartless useless comment, if they were worthless.
Just shut the f[beepk up if you don't have anything nice to f[beep]ing say. And if you don't have any support for, even the ones that volunteer, leave this country. These men and women (and their families) need all the support they can get here, not [so called] people like you taking it down.
And for your info, I was [very] nice here.