Hundreds of Minnesotans lined highway 212 between the Twin Cities and Olivia Thursday afternoon, paying their respects to a National Guardsman making his final journey home.
The Patriot Guard Riders and a convoy of family, friends, and fellow soldiers led a hearse carrying the body of SPC. James Wertish west towards his home in rural Olivia. Wertish was among three Minnesota soldiers killed last week in an insurgent rocket attack in Iraq.
People holding American flags stretched out along the shoulders of Highway 212 as it ran through the communities of Stewart, Buffalo Lake, Hector, Bird Island, and the many farmsteads that link them. A huge flag draped the fire hall in Hector.
Nancy Mulder of Renville had never met Wertish, nor did she know his family. But but she stood along Highway 212 anyway. "You don't have to know him, that's the thing. You feel a part of him, but you don't know him."
In Olivia, hundreds more waited for their fallen soldier to arrive. Classmates from Wertish's 2007 BOLD High School graduating class described him as a man who was small in stature, but who had a large circle of friends.
Friends say clear back to elementary school Wertish was the smallest boy in their class. "Just such a little pip-squeak," recalls Kelly Youngkrantz, "and he grew up to be such a strong guy; such and amazing person.
He was a devoted outdoorsman who loved to fish, hunt, snowmobile and four-wheel. Wertish enlisted in the National Guard the summer before his senior year in high school, and he was extremely proud to serve his community and country.
Meanwhile, a fellow Minnesota National Guardsman and friend who survived the attack is providing details about what happened.
On July 16, just before 9:15 p.m. Iraqi time, Spc. Jacob Benson, 22, of Willmar was talking with his three closest friends and fellow National Guard soldiers at a military base near Basra, Iraq, when a rocket hit, sending him flying.
"I hit the ground, and I got back up," he told the West Central Tribune, based in Willmar.
What he found were his friends - Spc. James Wertish, 20, of rural Olivia, Spc. Carlos E. Wilcox IV, 27, of Cottage Grove, and Spc. Daniel P. Drevnick, 22, of Woodbury - all on the ground, dying. Staff Sgt. Blake Hayden called in an ambulance. It was there within 15 minutes.
"It felt like hours," Benson said.
Benson, a 2005 Willmar High School graduate, identified himself as the fourth soldier involved in the attack that killed his friends and fellow Minnesotan soldiers assigned to the Stillwater-based military police unit, part of the 34th Infantry Division "Red Bulls."
His wife, Alison, and 1-month-old daughter, Avery, reside in New London. His parents, Dr. Terry and Betty Benson, formerly of Willmar, live in Prior Lake.
During a telephone interview with the West Central Tribune, Benson said that pieces of shrapnel were found in his arm and his back after what reports from Iraq indicate was a rocket attack on the base. He also suffered a concussion and bruises all over his body.
He was later told that it took a struggle to pull him away from the scene. He left only when it was clear that his friends were being taken to the hospital.
"I was pretty emotional at that point," he said. "They were my brothers in arms. They were my best friends."
Wertish was dead before medics arrived, according to Benson. He said that Wilcox died on the way to the hospital, and Drevnick died soon after arriving.
Benson was taken to a hospital in Kuwait. He stayed there three days before returning to the military base in Basra. He said doctors see him every day.
In his six years of service, Benson said he got to know the three soldiers well. Both he and his wife were close friends with Wilcox.
Now, a week after his friends' deaths, Benson is still coping with the shock and pain of their loss.
"It's trouble every day," he said.
He said he wanted everybody to know that the three killed were not only great soldiers, but great friends.
"I want you to put in there: Wilcox made everybody smile. Drevnick was a great guy who made everybody laugh. James was a great friend.
"They were the best soldiers I ever got to know."
Kathy Willing, a poet from Olivia, jotted down theses words as the hearse carrying James Wertish approached his hometown.
Flags wave
As old glory lines the route
Of the return to his home
The memory of the fallen hero
The crowd stands solemn
In loving honor
As we salute
One of our own
Tears fall
As the parade draws near
Hands held over our hearts
As we say welcome... goodbye
This brave heart
A representative of a nation
Has been called home
To eternity
A soul remembered
A courageous man
We stand in honor
As James is called home
The motorcade nears!
Anticipation alerts
The sirens are heard
Our hero is home.
(Copyright 2009 by Associated Press/West Central Tribune. All Rights Reserved.)
