18th MP Bde say goodbye to a fallen hero

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- Soldiers, family members and civilians of the 18th Military Police Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, said their final goodbyes to Sgt. 1st Class Gerald Benton, 28, of Riverdale, Ga., during a memorial ceremony at the chapel on Daenner Kaserne, here March1.

"He was a father, husband, noncommissioned officer in charge and Soldier," said Maj. Robert Matthews, the 95th MP Battalion executive officer. "It is not a time of mourning as it is a time of remembering."

"Remembering his commitment to the unit, his love of soldiering and his dedication to the men and women he proudly served alongside," Matthews added.

According to numerous senior leaders of the 18th MP Bde., Benton was considered to be an exemplarily noncommissioned officer, always holding himself and his Soldiers to the highest of standards. He set the example for every Soldier he encountered and inspired all of his subordinates to succeed.

Benton was a well respected leader in his unit. His motto was "Too Easy" as he would take on any challenge with enthusiasm.

"It's a cliché in the Army that an officer's first NCO sets the tone for their career," said 1st Lt. Ryan Robinson, the 95th MP Bn. communications officer in charge. "I'm disappointed that I won't have the ability to call on Benton in the years to come."

"I can think of few people who could have set a better example for me, my Soldiers or the Army," Robinson added.

Sgt. Jonathan Carter, a joint node network team chief for Alpha Co. 72nd Expeditionary Signal Bn., located in Schweinfurt, Germany, will keep Benton in very high regard.

"If I had to write a book on what right looks like, I would place him on the cover."