Clifford Benner Visit 12/14/18

Date: Friday, December 14, 2018, two days before his 93rd Birthday on December 16th.

Mission: Visit with Clifford Benner – Life Member - M C L – Lehigh Valley Detachment 296

-Find out how has been doing

-Deliver L V Detachment ‘Polo’

-Photo for our Website Roster Picture lineup.

Cliff has been a Life Member since November 2000; his actual MCL joining date needs some clarification. He has not been able to attend meetings for 20+ years, since his wife needed his care.

Fred ‘Fritz’ Babcock and Chaplain Joe Malia traveled to Coopersburg to visit with Clifford Benner, a WWII Pacific theater Marine who participated in the Okinawa campaign. Being somewhat of a celebrity in Marine Corps parlance for his WWII action alone, we discovered that Clifford is also a Walking Talking history lesson, and if we had served withhim we may have given him the moniker of “Professor”. Clifford has a binder full of material about his life in the Corps and also print and pictures about his passions which were as a Revolutionary War reenactor, a Civil War reenactor and includes his portrayal of General Patton for a History event at Reading High School. He has a binder full of information about the transportation of the “State Bell”, ( which eventually became known as the Liberty Bell ), on its secreted trip from Philadelphia and eventually to Allentown, Pa.. His material documents the route, the stops made along the way and who participated in this historic feat.

We reported at our December meeting about Benner’s role as the Drummer for his Revolutionary War reenactor group and their Event in Norristown, that featured General Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. as the main speaker. As the Drummer Cliff would “Drum-In” each dignitary and honored guests. After the ceremonies and the Reenactors group picture with the General, Drummer Benner took exception with General Schwarzkopf, for not wearing his military attire. The General wore a tuxedo for the event. When Drummer Benner approached the General and said I have a bone to pick with you, the Secret Service agents or his guards, stepped between the General and Drummer. The General parted the guards and said Let this Marine speak. Rather taken aback, Clifford said to the General, How did you know I was a Marine? The General responded, only a Marine would dare to talk to me that way.

I am hoping we can find some way for Clifford to pass on much more information. History the way it is supposed to be taught. Clifford is in good health for his age and his state of mind is something to marvel at.

Semper FI Clifford, job well done.

- Detachment Chaplain Joseph Malia