Ben Retired From USMC TODAY! He Is In A Bar In Palm Springs Right Now!

[Binka]

Heading back to Wisconsin to see Rage Against The Machine and hug his girl Danielle! Danny and Ben have been together in a long distance relationship since Feb 2006 when Dannie's then boyfriend Adam Vanalstine was killed. V was also Ben's best buddy in the 3/7, he was killed on the mean streets of Ramadi two weeks before he was due home and one week before his 21 B-day :cry: RIP V. Ben is heading in a few weeks to New Orleans with his friend Marvin to donate some of his time and love and energy to build houses.

Thank The Noodle God that Ben is healing and whole. Have a beer for me baby. Ah hell drink a KEG!

[YOY]

1. Good for Ben, Binka!!!

Welcome home Ben!

[babylonsister]

2. Fabulous news, Binka! Yay, Ben! nt

[qanda]

3. I don't even drink and I might have to have one for that!

Congratulations! I know you are overjoyed. I wish Ben all the best.

[SeattleGirl]

4. Happy news, Binka!!!!

And welcome home, Ben! Have a cold one on me! :toast:

[KittyWampus]

5. Congratulations to you and your family. Peace and Health to you all.

[myrna minx]

6. That's fantastic. K&R.

:toast:

[Jackpine Radical]

7. If ya gotta drink beer, Wisconsin is the place to do it.

If I knew where he is, I'd set him up a few.

[oasis]

8. A big welcome home to Ben.

:party::toast::party::toast::party:

[soleft]

9. Good news

[Megahurtz]

10. Great News!

Congratulations he won't ever have to go back to That Hell!

[hedgehog]

11. We needed some good news!

[Bluebear]

12. Well done, Ben!

You made it through. :toast:

[Richard Steele]

13. Congratulations- glad he made it back! nm

[malaise]

14. How lovely

:toast:

[Cooley Hurd]

15. DAMN!!!! WOOT!!! SEMPER FI, BEN!!!!

I'm gonna have myself (another) rum & coke and TOAST Ben!

Binka, given all the bad news, THIS has heartened me a great deal!!!!:hug:

[Hissyspit]

16. Glad to hear, Binka

:)

[CabalPowered]

17. Fantastic!

:bounce:

[noamnety]

18. I am SOOOO happy for you

and I am so happy to hear they will be working in New Orleans.

[Robbien]

19. Yay. Welcome home

Yay again for the news of his not ever having to deploy again.

Doing good for others in NO is an excellent way to heal from the horrors of this preemptive invasion. Good for him.

[TahitiNut]

20. ((((((Binka)))))) {{{{{Ben}}}}}

:patriot:

[Binka]

23. Thanks Mike!

He called me from the airport and we cried together on the phone. This is one thing that has gone RIGHT in my life the past few years. New life starts for both Ben and I. Remember Ben had only been in Iraq one month when he was blown up, in some ways it was his ticket out of there. Thank Noodle God again!:hi:

[SoCalDem]

21. HALLELUJAH!!!

happy days are here again..

btw.. I went to college with a van Alstine..not a common name :) They were from St Louis, I think..

[sinkingfeeling]

22. Thank goodness he's out!!

[aquart]

24. I am so happy for you.

[Subdivisions]

25. Thank goodness, Binka! That's great news! n/t

[DemReadingDU]

26. Great news!

[ceile]

27. Couldn't ask for better news!!!

YEAH!

[flyarm]

28. WONDERFUL NEWS BINKA..& BEN!!! AND I HOPE HE HAS A NIGHT OF DRINKS AND JOY!! EOM

[BlooInBloo]

29. WOOT!!!

[Blue_In_AK]

30. Yea, Binka!!

Great news.

[Marnieworld]

31. Thank Noodle God indeed!

Binka I am so happy for all of you. We've been with you every step of the way. Noodles for all you love! :loveya:

[Binka]

35. Thanks Marnie! I'm Posting My FUGWB Picture In Ben's Honor

IMG]

[CottonBear]

32. Great news! Cheers Ben and Binka! n/t

[JuniperLea]

33. Cheers!

Time to celebrate!!





That's great news!

:bounce:

[unhappycamper]

34. That's great news!

k&r

[peacebird]

36. Woo-Hoo!!!!! Congrats Binka! Congrats and thank you Ben! Happy days ahead to both!

[madokie]

37. good news

damn good news. Tell him to listen not to them who will tell him that real men don't talk about whats just happened to them, trust me they should. Come to grips with it now get it out, talk about it he'll be much glad he did later.
Tell Ben, Thank you, for me

[Binka]

40. That's Why He Is Going To New Orleans

To work and talk it out. Thanks for your kind words.

[Karenina]

50. WooHoo!!!

:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

:loveya:

[unhappycamper]

44. I'll second madokie's recommendation.

Make sure he finds someone to talk to. I'd recommend http://www.ivaw.org/vetresources as a good starting point.

And please tell Ben for me "Welcome home brother."

Peace,
uhc

[sarge43]

38. Welcome home and to the fun world of half pay, Ben.

Get knee marching drunk man; you earned it.

Blessed be.

[The Straight Story]

39. Awesome and a kick for you both!

Tell him I will drink a few in his honor today!

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

41. That is wonderful news.

Welcome home Ben. You and Danny make a beautiful couple.

[kestrel91316]

42. I think donating his time in NOLA to help the Katrina victims is

a WONDERFUL thing and will go a long way toward making sure his head stays screwed on straight.

[Vidar]

43. I'm happy for you, Binka and glad that Ben is out. I've missed you

& your animated kitty.

[MissWaverly]

45. May he be home safe soon, congrats to you all

we are all grateful for this moment.

[MADem]

46. Hip Hip....HOOOOORAY!!!!!!!!!

How WONDERFUL!!!!!

[Binka]

55. He Is In The Air As We Speak

I'm sure he had to crawl on board. Good soldier!:hi:

[Batgirl]

47. Thanks so much for passing along this truly wonderful update n/t

[Stephanie]

48. Awesome! Congratulations!

I am very glad to hear that he got out of that mess and is home safe! :hi:

[blondeatlast]

49. Wonderful, wonderful! Thank you for sharing this wonderful news! nt

[proud patriot]

51. Thank Goodness

:)

[BanzaiBonnie]

52. Yeah Binka, GO BEN! n/a

[libnnc]

53. Hell yeah! Outstanding news!

Congrats to Ben, you and his sweetie.

:bounce: :toast:

[Feron]

54. Wonderful news!!

:D

[wicket]

56. I wish you all nothing best the best of luck.

:grouphug: :hi: :toast:

[Booster]

57. What a good looking guy. Welcome back to sanity, Ben, and

thank you for your service. Have a beer for me too.

[Binka]

58. He Gets To Grow His Hair Again!

He was taking some liberties in that photo already, now he's gonna grow it a bit more!

[Booster]

64. My nephew has been a Marine for almost 20 years and I have

never seen him with hair. ha I can't wait til he retires in 18 months and let's his hair grow out.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

59. All the joy and love you can imagine Binka!

I am wishing you and feeeling for you, Ben, & Danielle!

:hi: :hug: :loveya: :yourock:

And to Ben :patriot:

May you never forget that so many salute you for your love of country nd your service.

Blessings Upon You All.

[Solly Mack]

60. To life! To Ben! To you, Binka!!

to Danielle! and to Marvin!

Happiness and joy

To remembrance of those gone.

[Karenina]

135. L'Chaim!

Shabbat Shalom, alle!!!

[Moochy]

61. K&R!!

Thats great news!! :patriot:

[jackster]

62. Binka we're all so happy for you....

your long nightmare is over!

[Tsiyu]

63. Halleluiah!

Good news is good :bounce:

All the best to you and your beautiful son Ben and to the rest of the family. :)

[Individualist]

65. Celebration time!

I'm so glad for you and Ben. :party:

[sonias]

66. Great news Binka

Ben is now a free man and can start living his life again. He sounds like a wonderful young man. I'm happy for you that he's home.

Sonia

[Mz Pip]

67. A toast to Ben

:toast: Thank you for your service.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[GliderGuider]

68. Woot! (nt)

[Mabus]

69. Wonderful news

Take a deep breath and sleep well.

[GreenPartyVoter]

70. I don't do beer but will be happy to have a brownie in his honor. :^D

[Canuckistanian]

71. Good news!

We were all worried about him.

Congrats!

:thumbsup:

[TacticalPeek]

72. Oorah!

Bumped up to the highest rank: Civilian.

:patriot:

[The Wielding Truth]

126. One of my most favorite posts in this thread. n/t

[Stinky The Clown]

73. THANK YOU for this!

Good news seems in such short supply these days.

[demobabe]

74. Yay Binka! Yay Ben!

Welcome home Ben and Congrats! Happy day!

A toast to you both!

:toast:

[Hekate]

75. Oh Binka -- I am so HAPPY for you and Ben!So happy I actually cried a little...

:hug:

Hekate

[mzmolly]

76. They are lovely, especially Ben.

To Ben! :toast: Welcome HOME!

[Raster]

78. My thoughts exactly!

:toast:

[mzmolly]

85. Nice sigline.

:hi:

[Raster]

88. Hi MzMolly! Binka's joy is, well, a joy. Let's bring them all home.

They ALL have loved ones that deserve the same joy. Bring them home. All of them. Now.

[ewagner]

77. I think Ben

should be made an honorary "cheesehead"....

Congrats to Ben :patriot:

and Binka...for all you've been through...maybe you can have some relief and peace of mind.....

[David Zephyr]

79. Great news!

Hope they are having fun in Palm Springs! Great news!

[MissMarple]

80. Best of news, sweetheart.

:hug:

[Mnemosyne]

81. Great news Binka! n/t

[Patsy Stone]

82. Mazel Tov!

My best wishes and love to all of you. My deepest thanks for your service, and my deepest regrets for your suffering.

:patriot: :toast: :party: :hug:

[Ilsa]

83. Awesome, Binka! So glad he made it out of there. I'll toast him and

you with my first glass of wine tonight, okay?

[spuddonna]

84. Thank goodness...

He looks so happy! :) May he have a wonderful, long, peaceful life ahead of him...

[Lisa]

86. Binka, could you re-post that pic of him wearing Miss America's tiara?

That one never fails to crack me up!

Way to go, Ben! And best wishes to you and Danielle!

[Binka]

131. Here Ya Go!

Ben is wearin' the crown! :hi: I can't believe how skinny and frail he looks. OMG what a time!

[Lisa]

155. thanks Binka! What a beautiful sight!

... and Miss America looks pretty good too!

[alfredo]

87. Give him a "Welcome home" from a old soldier.

[PA Democrat]

89. That's great news Binka!

[blogslut]

90. May they all come home soon

Healing and whole.

[lovuian]

91. Woohoo

:woohoo:

[Forkboy]

92. Ahhhhhh.....exxxxxcellent.

Now if we could just get the rest of them home. :(

I'm really glad to hear this though.Time for some well deserved rest...and fun! He looks like a leading man type from the 50's.

I'm also really glad to see you! :loveya:

[EFerrari]

93. . . . .

:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

:hug:

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

94. Good news. What, he's medically retired or something?

[Longhorn]

95. Congratulations! My son was supposed to get out in October.

Unfortunately, he has decided to re-enlist. We're lucky that he's been in Japan all this time but that could change. Fortunately, he'll be in school for his new MOS for at least a year. I can only hope that things will change by then.

I'm so happy for you and your son. I appreciate and regret all that you both have been through. :yourock: Binka and :yourock: Ben!

[Cha]

96. It's wonderful to hear some

good news coming outta that hell hole! I'm so happy for you and your family!

[Ellen Forradalom]

97. HOORAY!

:bounce:

[Lugnut]

98. Thank goodness

Welcome home Ben! :toast:

[ConsAreLiars]

99. Good news.

Going to NOLA to build is a good indicator that Ben has come though that horror with his humanity still intact. You, he and Danny are very fortunate.

[merh]

100. What wonderful, glorious news, Binka!!

:hug: HAPPY RETIREMENT BEN!!! :hug:
:toast: :bounce: :grouphug: :hug: :loveya: :party: :party: :grouphug: :hug: :loveya: :party: :toast: :beer: :bounce:

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

Thank you Ben :patriot:

[Just-plain-Kathy]

101. It's nice to hear good news for a change!!

:headbang:

[WillyT]

102. That's Wonderful News Binka !!!

:grouphug:

[Laurab]

103. I am so happy for you!! and for Ben, too!! K & R n/t

[HCE SuiGeneris]

104. Congrats!

:toast:

[Ken Burch]

105. Thank ALL the Gods!

May Ben go through his life free of any flashbacks or traumas from this experience.

And may no one else ever face the horrific wait you've faced to find out if a loved one got home from a war.

[pacalo]

106. What a good-looking son you have!

You must be bursting with pride, binka! Not only good-looking, but a man of substance. Thank him for me (1) for serving our country and (2) for helping out in New Orleans. Thank God he made it home alive & in one piece.

[madrchsod]

107. well that`s over and he can finally get back to normal

been quite a journey for him,you,and all your friends here at du...!

[Eurobabe]

108. Good for ALL of you!!

So glad he is OUT of the military. Smart move. Who knows what the chimp has in store next??

:grouphug:

[Dystopian]

109. Beautiful! K&R

peace~

[laylah]

110. Terrific!

I am so glad the nightmare is over for you both :hug:

[Buns_of_Fire]

111. EXcellent news! Welcome home, Ben!

:toast: (And welcome back to sleep without nightmares, Binka. Your dreams have missed you.)

His next assignment: Making it through airport security without going postal. I've found that being nicely lubricated helps. :beer:

[eridani]

112. Welcome home, Ben!

Glad you made it out whole.

[Jeanette in FL]

113. Great news to start the day

Good for all of you, Binka.

[Lochloosa]

114. Great News Binka!

I know it's been a long hard road for you and your family.

Great Ending...

She's cute.}(

[HeeBGBz]

115. Woo Hoo! I'm so happy to hear this!

Please thank him for coming down this way to help out.

[jhain]

116. WONDERFUL NEWS!!

I am soooooooooo happy for you, Mom Binka!!
And, many , many grateful thanks to Ben and your entire family for his service.

[GenDem]

117. Fabulous news!

Well wishes for all of you!

[Philosoraptor]

118. Joy to the world!

And down with tyranny.

[Philosoraptor]

119. Get that man a Hollywood agent!

[Daphne08]

120. Great news!

So happy to hear this, Binka. :toast:

[JPZenger]

121. Bush Legacy - So Many Good People Leaving the Military

[annabanana]

122. That is WONDERFUL news!. . What a relief.

It must make a difference everytime your head hits the pillow at night.

[AnneD]

123. While you're tapping the keg....

:toast: Welcome home brother in arms. Designate a driver, an have a great time and a safe trip.

[swimboy]

124. Hoorah!

I'm so happy to hear that! I wish him a long and happy retirement filled with many good times! :applause: :party:

[knitter4democracy]

125. All praises be!

Thank goodness he's home and safe. I hope he stays home and safe! :applause:

[The Wielding Truth]

127. You did good, Binka. I am so proud of Ben and I am so happy

that he is now free to be all he "really" can be. He has and will be held in my best thoughts.

I bet your daughter and the rest of your family is on cloud nine, too.

[fed-up]

128. Welcome Home Ben!!!! nt

[Rambis]

129. I'll drink to that! cheers!

[lildreamer316]

130. YAY!!!!

I am so happy for your family!!! Please give Ben, and the rest,a hug for me!!

[nadinbrzezinski]

132. Good for you binka

[cubs4life]

133. God Bless Binka! Ben looks great. My best wishes to you

and your family. Ben is a wonderful young man and I am thrilled for your family that he is retired and doing well. They are a lovely couple, btw.

[SharonRB]

134. This is wonderful, Binka

Glad Ben is back on American soil safe and sound. I'm so sorry about his friend Adam

:hug:

[mountainvue]

136. What a great looking kid. Best of everything to you, Ben.

You deserve it.

[OzarkDem]

137. Great to hear!

Best wishes to him and all of you. Hope he can get back to his life and future again.

Big hugs to all DU'ers who have family serving in Iraq now - hope you see them all come home very, very soon. :grouphug:

[eleny]

138. This is the best news

So long in coming and not a minute too soon! :grouphug:

[Ex Lion Tamer]

139. Nah, I hate him.

Nobody should be that good looking!

:)

[Ex Lion Tamer]

140. And he's seeing Rage?????!!!!!

AAAArrrrgggghhhh! Life isn't fair!

[Binka]

148. He Is A Colts Fan Though!

:hi:

[Ex Lion Tamer]

153. Then all is forgiven!

God bless him (and you).

[Binka]

154. So Am I And I Named My 6 Year Daughter Peyton!

Here we are

IMG]

[Ex Lion Tamer]

157. Parenting

Okay, this is completely off topic, but I've got to tell you how wonderful a mother you appear to be. Loving and kind--yet fiercely protective of your child.

My wife is that way, and it is wonderful to witness.

As a parent of 3 kids myself, I cannot imagine what you have been through; and I hope I never have to go through something like it. And, most importantly, I am grateful for a happy ending.!!

Your 6 year old is precious. I've got quite a range myself: 14, 8, and 2! And I'm 48.

[Binka]

159. I'm 48 And I Have A 26, 23, 21 & 6 Year Old

Two boys and two girls. Peyton was a complete shock and I almost aborted her. Her father turned out to be a narcissistic sociopath and I just started feeling it (without any proof) when I conceived her.

Something made me keep the baby even though I was terrified of the hell I knew was coming with and from her father. In the end I had to flee him with my hair on fire and I am starting over now at age 48 and it has really fucked up my head & heart. Peyton is the one thing that keeps me going these days. Ben Callie and Ian all help but they are young adults and have their own lives, plus Ben is in Wisconsin, Callie is in MN (a recent grad from Madison), Ian goes to George Mason, and I am in CA.

Thank you for your kind words. I put my career and life on the back burner for these kids and I'm glad to see somebody recognizes that. It is so much work, but what else are we gonna do with all the love these children make in our hearts? Peace to you and your family friend.

[Aristus]

141. Okay, I'm a straight guy, but DAMN! That's one good looking young man!

Thank God he's out of the service now and back home with his loved ones.

[Binka]

142. Thanks He Looks Like His Momma

:evilgrin:

[Aristus]

143. You must be very proud.

And very beautiful. B-)

I want pics... :+

[Binka]

147. Check your PM

:hi:

[snacker]

144. Best news I've heard for awhile....

what a relief for all of you! I'm so happy and relieved for you, Binka.

[truebrit71]

145. Great news!

Welcome home young man!

[CatWoman]

146. I'm so happy for all three of you!!!

:hi:

:loveya:

[Binka]

149. Hi Honey

Long time no chat to. How are ya Mama? :hi:

[CatWoman]

156. dealing with this grueling HEAT!!!

I can't begin to imagine how hot it is in the desert :scared:

:hi:

[5thGenDemocrat]

150. Annie and I and all of our veteran friends say "congratulations!"

We all know how much you've worried about your baby and we couldn't be happier that you and Ben and all your family are together and out of harm's way. We share your happiness and tell Ben if he ever finds himself in Saginaw (and, after all, why would he?), we'll buy him all the beer he can drink and them some (we'll happily drain the extra).
It feels like one of our own is home -- safe and sound. Love to all of you!!
John (and Annie and a couple dozen or so veterans)
Now let's get all the other troops home with their families, too. Meanwhile, give Ben a hug from us.

[ClayZ]

151. WhooHooo... Yay for Ben!

K and R

[mnhtnbb]

152. So happy to hear this wonderful news!

[OhioChick]

158. Glad to Hear the Good News!

:toast: