CPT Ben Jansky, USA - R.I.P.

Army CPT Ben Jansky, 28, of Oshkosh, Wis.; assigned to the 983rd Engineer Battalion, Army Reserve, Monclova, Ohio; killed July 27 when his Humvee was accidentally struck by another military vehicle in Taqaddum, Iraq. Ben left a wife and two daughters, and many friends here at TQ.

I had the good fortune of working with CPT Jansky. I didn't know him well, but he and I attended with fifteen others the 620th maintenance meetings, held every Tuesday.

I attended CPT Jansky's funeral service yesterday on base. If you've attended a military funeral service, you've seen the solemnity and tradition involved when a warrier is taken.

At the front of the chapel, on a stand, sit CPT Jansky's boots, his verticle rifle, and his helmet on top. CPT Jansky's funeral was attended by one hundered and fifty members of his unit and friends. His fellow officers and NCOICs at the front.

The funeral started with an invocation by the chaplain. The chaplain remembered that CPT Jansky never missed service on Sunday and was always talking about sports and his family, but that he was not afraid to die due to his strong faith.

A fellow officer then arose to recite his biographical sketch, followed by the battalion CO's comments and those of one of CPT Jansky's NCOICs.

Then there was a chaplain's message followed by a benediction and silent tribute.

Then, there was roll call: "MSG, here. Seargent, here. CPT Jansky. CPT Jansky. CPT Ben Jansky. CPT Benjamin Jansky." Silence. A lone bugler played taps.

Then a call to order outside the chapel: Seven riflemen fire; again, again.

Then the CO walks to the stand, faces CPT Jansky's helmet, and slowly, very slowly, salutes the helmet. Then the senior enlisted. Then the officers. Then the NCOICs. Then everyone in attendance. One at a time until all had paid their final respects to CPT Jansky.

One thing different about the military over civilian life. In the regular civilian workplace, had a workmate been killed, meetings would have been cancelled and all activities frozen, "dealing" with the death". Not in the military. And not that the military is uncaring.

In war, people lose their life. In a war zone, life and work goes on, with little or no comment.

At the next 620th maintenance meeting the day after CPT Jansky's death, not a word was said throughout the meeting. At the very end, it was announced that CPT Jansky was no longer with us, that his funeral would be on Monday (yesterday).

In CPT Jansky's place was his next in command, a 1st Lieutenant. Life goes on. Work goes on in a war zone.