RIP MSG Bitner. He was in my son's old company. He said MSG Bitner was one of the really good guys.

RIP MSG .....

Rest in Peace, MSG.

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Benjamin Franklin Bitner remembered as a man of principle.

Richard

Hundreds Attend Memorial Service For Fallen Green Beret
Herald-Mail, 28 May 2011

Hundreds came out Saturday to honor the memory of U.S. Army Master Sgt. Benjamin Franklin Bitner at a memorial service at Rescue Hose Co. No. 1.

Bitner, 37, a native of Greencastle, was killed April 23 in Afghanistan by an improvised explosive device.

As the song "Story of My Life" played in the background, clips of Bitner passed in front of the eyes of more than 400 family members, friends and community members who attended the service.

For those who knew him or wanted to know him better, the video helped the crowd honor Bitner's memory on a more personal level.

"Today, we honor Master Sergeant Benjamin F. Bitner, who, on April 23, 2011, paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom while serving his country in Afghanistan as an assault team sergeant for Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), United States Army," according to a statement released by Bitner's family.

Bitner grew up in Greencastle and enlisted in the U.S. Army prior to graduating from Greencastle-Antrim High School in 1991.

Sgt. Richard Wilson met Bitner in 2004 while serving as his team sergeant. That, according to Wilson, was the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

"Ben was a true professional. He excelled in everything he did. He is a walking example of what right looks like," Wilson said.

"I'll never forget Ben Bitner. This town has a lot to be proud of. I have never met a more professional Green Beret than your son Ben," Wilson said to Bitner's parents, Roger and Beverly Bitner.

Sgt. First Class Kurt Hohan served with Bitner. Hohan said for the first several months, Bitner chided him with the nicknames "Hot Rod" and "Hog Head."

"Being average or out of shape were two things that Ben didn't allow," Hohan said. "One of Ben's primary concerns was bringing everybody home."

"Ben was a man of principle. He loved being a Green Beret. He loved his family. He loved his dogs, and he loved his guns," Hohan said.

Ben Thomas of Greencastle remembered a young Ben Bitner.

Thomas said Bitner came from a family that believes in service. Roger Bitner is a firefighter and Beverly Bitner served as an ambulance dispatcher. Many in Bitner's family have served their country and their community in many capacities.

"I saw confidence in Ben as a small boy," Thomas said. "The citizens of this community humbly thank Benjamin Franklin Bitner for his confidence, his bravery and his service. Well done, thy good and faithful servant."

On the Saturday before Easter, Chaplain David Reese had the difficult job of delivering the news of Bitner's death to his family.

"We knew we would be bringing heartache to those who loved Ben at 4 o'clock that Saturday afternoon," Reese said.

Later in the service, roll call was called with members of Bitner's special forces unit calling back their names until Bitner's name was called.

Bitner — no answer. Master Sergeant Bitner — no answer. Master Sergeant Benjamin Franklin Bitner — no answer.

The eerie silence was broken by the clang of a bell. Then, three rifle rounds split the stillness followed by taps.

http://articles.herald-mail.com/2011...beverly-bitner

I attended the memorial service for MSG Bitner on Saturday. It was a very moving ceremony, and it was obvious how much pride his community had in him and in his service.

I didn't know MSG Bitner, but I wish I had. It was clear that he was a exemplary Special Forces soldier and father.

Thank you for your service, and rest in peace MSG Bitner.

MSG Benjamin Bitner, RIP
 

Rest in Peace MSG Bitner. Thank you for your service. Prayers to your family and friends.

Sincerely,

Can anybody put me in contact with someone who was close to MSG Bitner and/or his family?

Our unit is planning something in his honor, we would like to get the family's input prior to doing it.

I am happy to provide more details via PM, I can understand the sensitivity of the request. Alternatively, I can forward the information through an intermediary.


Thank you in advance.

With the permission of MSG Bitner's family, we have renamed one of our local DZ's in his honor. MSG Bitner served in our unit prior to his career in Special Forces, and we wanted to do something in his memory.

Based on discussions with those who knew him when he served here, I am 99% confident that he jumped into this DZ while he was a soldier here.

Bitner DZ is located in western Maryland, and we jump into it several times a year. We generally have plenty of spare chutes for anyone who has current Hazardous Duty orders and wants to straphang.

The DZ should be showing up in the next ZAR update with a new survey.

RIP, MSG Bitner.