Ben Kopp had an infectious personality and was a best friend to many. He became known for his fearless attitude, crooked grin, and charm with the ladies.

Ben was also an elite Army Ranger. He sought to become one out of respect and admiration for his great grandfathers’ patriotic service in WWII, and to vindicate the events of 9/11. According to his mother, Jill Stephenson, he was devastated by the death of his great grandfather only five months prior to 9/11. The two were very close. At age 13, Ben vowed to serve his country with a determination that no one ever questioned.

Ben arrived in Ft. Benning, GA, only one month after he graduated from high school. “His tenacity made him an accomplished Ranger only eight months later,” said Jill. “The daily challenges of being an elite Ranger don’t come easy, but it very quickly turns boys into men. Ben was no exception. When he came home on breaks, people noticed the change in him and it was a good fit.”

Ben deployed twice to Iraq before going to Afghanistan in May 2009. On July 10, during a firefight with the Taliban, he saved six of his fellow Rangers with the 3/75th Battalion before being shot in the leg. His leg was surgically repaired but the blood loss caused trauma from which his body couldn’t recover. Ben died on July 18 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, at age 21.

Because Ben chose to be an organ donor, his heart still beats in Judy Miekle of Winnetka, IL. His liver and kidneys went to a man in the DC area. Several of his Ranger buddies and local friends have visited Judy and put their hands on her heart to feel Ben marching on. Ben’s decision to be an organ donor was influenced by the death of his uncle, J.T. Burud, who died six years before he was born. J.T. was an organ donor, and his life story was shared with Ben from a young age.

“Ben has inspired countless people around the world to become organ donors and talk about it as never before,” added Jill. “This final selfless act has gifted all who knew him a legacy of heroism and admiration. It has also made his family more proud than anyone dreamed.”

Ben’s floragraph will ride with his uncle’s on the 2011 Donate Life Float.