New Ladder Truck Dedicated To Fallen Cranford Firefighter

CRANFORD, NJ — To memorialize Stephen Benish and his service to the Cranford Fire Department, the new tower ladder truck was dedicated in his honor on Monday.

November 28 marked the 12th anniversary of the death of Stephen Benish, who was killed in Iraq in 2004. He was 20 years old at the time and a member of the Cranford Fire Call Department.

"The new tower ladder was dedicated to him and a nice memorial is on it so we can always remember him," said Chris Vollero, Lieutenant with the Cranford Fire Department.

Vollero and firefighter Steitz, designed the truck.

Stephen C. Benish joined the Fire Deptartment as an explorer at the age of 12. He was a very active member and wanted nothing more than to be a firefighter.

At 18, he joined the Call Department and looked forward to becoming a career firefighter. When 9/11 happened he temporarily put firefighting aside and was determined to serve his country.

Once boot camp was completed he was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat team of the 2nd Infantry.

Stephen was killed Nov. 28, 2004 in the streets of Fallujah, Iraq while on foot patrol. A single shot above his body armor took his young life.

(Image by Chris Vollero)

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