LIHU‘E — The launch of Latseen Benson Day was delayed for a few hours after the guest of honor, Latseen and his family, were delayed by travel issues, Wednesday night at the Lihu‘e Airport.
“The good thing about the travel complications is that we don’t have to worry about luggage,” Benson said. “It’s not coming in until tomorrow.”
The inconvenience of not being able to access luggage was well addressed by the contingent of greeters, including Kaleo Carvalho representing Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, U.S. Congressman Kai Kahele’s Kaua‘i representative Michael Contrades, and veterans groups, including Kaua‘i Veterans Council Commander Mary Kay Hertog, Veterans Helping Veterans founder Ed Kawamura, and Vacations for Warriors founder Robert DeMonbrun.
Earlier in the day, Kawakami proclaimed July 14 as Latseen Benson Day for Benson’s heroic service to the country, and the honor was bestowed as the family was met outside the security gate. Benson and his family, including wife Jessica, and daughter Olivia, were awarded a Vacation for Warriors package, the second one being celebrated by Kaua‘i this month.
The Vacations for Warriors package offers the nation’s heroes and their families a vacation experience of a lifetime and an opportunity to enjoy a respite from the challenges of their daily lives.
“We extend a warm aloha and welcome to Sgt. Latseen Benson and his family,” said Kawakami in the announcement of Latseen Benson Day. “We recognize Sgt. Benson for his heroism, sacrifice, and service to the United States of America.”
Sgt. Benson joined the U.S. Army following 9-11 attack on the nation, and served with the 101st Airborne Division.
Two months into his second tour in Iraq, he was injured when his convoy was alerted that a suspected Improvised Explosive Device was on the route. Benson’s task was to secure the perimeter of the convoy when it stopped, and while dismounting his vehicle, an IED was remotely detonated resulting in the traumatic amputation of both of his legs and a finger, and other injuries.
He spent 10 months at the Walter Reed Medical Center recovering from his injuries before being medically retired in 2006.
His journey had Sgt. Benson attending college for several semesters, and immersing himself in wheelchair sports. Sgt. Benson’s love of skiing moved the family to Colorado where he became a member of the Paralympic Development mono-ski team.
Since then, Sgt. Benson has switched to sled hockey and currently plays with the Colorado Sled Hockey Warriors AVS, an all-veteran team overcoming their combat disabilities by participating in a sport.
“Sgt. Benson’s story is nothing short of heartbreaking,” Kawakami said in his announcement. “But he is a survivor and fights for his life daily with the strength, love, patience, and compassion of his beloved wife Jessica, and their beautiful daughter Oliva.”
“We extend our gratitude to Sgt. Benson, and his family’s full-time care and devotion for their husband and father, for serving our country and sacrificing his life for our freedom,” the mayor said. “We are happy he has chosen our beautiful island to visit and enjoy, and we thank the generosity of many businesses and individuals here on the island for making this trip a dream come true. Mahalo, too, to the Vacations for Warriors team for honoring and empowering our Wounded Warriors since 2014, and offering them an opportunity to live out their dream vacations.”
The earlier Vacations for Warriors family was Bill Essary and his family that included wife Trish, son Hunter, and daughter Hailey. That family arrived on Kaua‘i, June 23 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
