Browse > Home / Hearts & Minds, Life, Military, Motivation, Rebuilding Iraq / Update On Ben

Update On Ben

October 26, 2007

I’m sure that most of you remember, I shared Ben’s story in this post on October 13th. Ben is an autistic child who was found wandering around an industrial area of eastern Baghdad, by Iraqi Security Forces. They brought him to the Adhamiyah Joint Security Station, where he had been staying since then, as the search for Ben’s family continued. Ben had quickly taken to the medic at the JSS, Spc. Ratliff. This morning I received an email from SPC Tyler Ratliff in response to my email about some of us wishing to provide clothing and toys for Ben.

Here’s what Spc. Ratliff had to say.

Thank you mama for your concern for little Ben’s health here at the JSS, but we returned little Ben back to his home where he belongs. Thanks a lot for the offer you gave.

I’m sure that Ben’s parents had been frantic with worry and had no idea where to turn to, for help in locating him. I’m sure they were extremely relieved to find out that not only was Ben coming home, but that he had been taken care of and cared for. I’m sure that Ben will never forget the kindness of the American Soldiers who took him under their wing and protected him.

Thank you Specialist Ratliff, for your service and sacrifice and your excellent care of Ben.

Written by Terri · Filed Under Hearts & Minds, Life, Military, Motivation, Rebuilding Iraq 

Comments

6 Responses to “Update On Ben”

  1. Haole Wahine on October 26th, 2007 8:49 am

    Great News, Terri.

    What a good ending. Just another day’s work. Work from the heart.

    Gratitude and Prayers for all involved.

  2. Terri on October 26th, 2007 9:34 am

    I was pretty pleased to get Spc Ratliff’s email and glad to hear that Ben is back home with his family. I’m sure that they’re checking back with the family periodically to make sure things are going okay, so I did ask him if there were things that the family needed.

  3. Twana Blevins on October 27th, 2007 11:14 am

    Terri thanks for the follow up on this story. Can you imagine the mother’s heart and smile when she seen her son for the first time, since she might have thought him dead.

    This Iraqi family will always know the true heart of Americans now. No one will ever be able to tell them otherwise.

    If you find out about the families needs, please let me know. I’d like to help in this.

  4. Terri on October 27th, 2007 11:16 am

    I’ll keep you posted. I did hear back from SPC Ratliff and he said that he and his fellow Soldiers weren’t needing anything. Hopefully he’ll get back to me about things that Ben and his family might need.

  5. Twana Blevins on October 27th, 2007 1:57 pm

    Thank you Terri

  6. Claire on November 5th, 2007 3:21 pm

    Thank you Terri for the update. I am still very interested in sending Ben and/or his family items they may need. I will keep an eye out for any further direction should you receive it.

    I am so glad that he was reunited with his family. My worst fear was that he was an orphan or had been abandoned. No doubt that Ben is exactly where he needs to be …in the arms of his family.

Got something to say?