Col. Ben Stone passes.

[James Shaw]

Col. Ben Stone has passed away. He was CAP's longest serving continous member. He had served since 1942. I will post more info tomorrow.

He is survived by his wife Jackie. Please keep her in your thoughts  and prayers.

He had become like a grandfather to me over the years.

I deeply cared for him and will miss him.

Jim

[Major Carrales]

Col. Ben Stone has passed away. He was CAP's longest serving continous member. He had served since 1942. I will post more info tomorrow.

He is survived by his wife Jackie. Please keep her in your thoughts  and prayers.

He had become like a grandfather to me over the years.

I deeply cared for him and will miss him.

Jim

I am saddened by this loss, my condolences to his family and friends.  We are all a little less not to have him among us.

[flyguy06]

That is sad I had to hear about that hear first considering we are in the same wing.  And in the same city. I wish I had heard it through official channels first.

I have known COL Stone since I was a cadet. my prayers to the family.

[James Shaw]

NHQ and the Wing are not aware of it as of yet. His wife Jackie called me a few hours ago and told me. I am not trying to bypass NHQ or the GAWG. They are as close to Being "my grandparents" as one could be without being blood related.

I am a Historian because of this man and what he has done. I love them both and would NEVER dishonor his memory.

[flyguy06]

Even more reason if NHQ ans Shirley werent aware of it. You wanted to impress everyone with your first hand knowledge of information. Ok you got the spotlight. But I knew him and that news hit me kinda rough. Its like youhearing about your relative dying onthe news insteead of from official sources. Its like at a crash scene and people talikng over the raido that they found bodies and anounce the names over the net. Very insensative. Let things work through official channels. Please

[Major Carrales]

Even more reason if NHQ ans Shirley werent aware of it. You wanted to impress everyone with your first hand knowledge of information. Ok you got the spotlight. But I knew him and that news hit me kinda rough. Its like youhearing about your relative dying onthe news insteead of from official sources. Its like at a crash scene and people talikng over the raido that they found bodies and anounce the names over the net. Very insensative. Let things work through official channels. Please

Stand down, my friend.  This was news of a significant nature to Major Shaw and others who worked and were friendly/familiar with the deceased.  CAPTALK is not official in nature for the most part; folks come here for news and, to some degree, the companionship of those across the nation that is made precarious by the distance.

There is a good chance that the emotional feeling you express would be the same had you read it at "gocivilairpatrol.com" than here.

The danger of coming to CAPTALK is manifest in the idea that you may learn more than you cared to.

[James Shaw]

You wanted to impress everyone with your first hand knowledge of information. Ok you got the spotlight. But I knew him and that news hit me kinda rough.  Very insensative. Let things work through official channels. Please

I dont know who this may be. I really am not concerned with that. But lets get something clear. I DONT HAVE TO IMPRESS ANYONE on this forum. That was not my intention. Ben Stone was part of the CAP family and I can guarantee I dont give a flip about the spotlight.

I am honoring his memory and the man. If you have issue with that than that is your own problem.



Thank you Major Carrales.

Anyone who knows me knows I HONOR Ben and Jackie in EVERY opportunity I can.

[capchiro]

To one and all, I have known Col. Stone since he was my squadron commander at Cobb County in 1984.  He knew more about haircut requirements than most know about CAP.  Ben was a wonderful man and an inspiration to all.  He will be missed.  With that said, I will also note that I have known Jim Shaw for a long time and he is an asset to CAP, a wonderful person, and his reputation is beyond reproach.  I am sure he was only sharing his sorrow and the info with those of us whom he thought would appreciate it.  I would rather learn of the loss of a friend from a friend than from official sources.  Jim, I feel for you and will pray for all involved.  I use Captalk for the fellowship more than anything else.  I also apologize for Flyguy.  I also know him and know that he didn't mean to come off as insensitive as he did.  Perhaps he was also upset over Ben's passing and reacted poorly.  God Bless Ben Stone and his family, his friends, and those he has affected over his CAP career.

[flyguy06]

I wasnt trying to sound insensative, but imagine comming onto a public message board and hearing somone you knew as a mentor since you were a kid has died. Not eactly the way I want to hear sad news.

[fyrfitrmedic]

I wasnt trying to sound insensative, but imagine comming onto a public message board and hearing somone you knew as a mentor since you were a kid has died. Not eactly the way I want to hear sad news.

With all due respect, exactly that has happened to me *twice* in the past four months within my professional community. As shocked and saddened I was at the news, I didn't "kill the messenger".

[Chappie]

Having delivered death notifications or being a part of a death notification team for over 30 years, I have learned one thing:  there is no easy way or one way to share that kind of news with another person.  My thoughts and prayers are with the Stone family and all those who were touched by this man's life.

[Airrace]

I am deeply saddened by the loss of Col. Ben Stone. A true icon in CAP. My condolences to his family and friends. His shoes will be hard to fill!

[ColonelJack]

Ben Stone is one of the few people in CAP I truly looked up to, and any time I had a chance to sit and listen to him ws a treat, as well as an experience.

I guess I really believed a man like Ben would never die.

My  heartfelt condolences to his family, Georgia Wing, and all of CAP.

Jack

[Gunner C]

He sounds like a great man.  I wish I could have known him.  Thanks for sharing this with us, Jim.

[James Shaw]

Jackie Stone called me this morning and told me the arrangements. I asked her if I could put them on CAPtalk and she said she would appreciate it if I did.

Services for Colonel Ben Stone, CAP will be at:

Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home
1408 Canton Drive NE
Marietta GA, 30066
770-427-8447

1PM for Visitation and 2PM for service.
Saturday September 19, 2009

[ColonelJack]

Jim ...

Will the service be a military one?  If I can make it up there, I think it should be in uniform.

Jack

[James Shaw]

Jim ...

Will the service be a military one?  If I can make it up there, I think it should be in uniform.

Jack

Ben never served in the RM. He supported them alot as a civilian worker. CAP uniform would be the preferred uniform. Dress uniform that is. I am sure that anyone who attends would be more than welcome to wear their uniform. I will be going up this friday night and staying at Dobbins.

If anyone who attends has pictures of Ben please bring them with you. There will be a memory area at the service.

[capchiro]

I heard his final wishes were for a funeral heavy in CAP style for whatever that means.  He was very proud of his CAP service and rightly so.  I believe CAP uniforms would be very proper. 

[ColonelJack]

At the moment, I cannot think of anything more important than honoring this remarkable man.  I'll be there.

Jack

[James Shaw]

Hey folks. I spent the last hour with Jackie in Atlanta.  Her son Scott spoke with me as well and appreciates the nice comments and thoughts about Ben. He has kept an eye on the forum.

Those who attend the service will be given the chance to share their memories of Ben if they like. I will be making a memory board for the service and their will be a table available for those who may need it for pictures.

Please wear the CAP dress uniform for the service..Jackie would appreciate it and Ben would have liked it as well.