Biography of Benno Paul Berens

1917-1994

By Shirley M. Berens

My name is Benno P. Berens. I am a great-grandfather and I died in 1994. I was a WWII veteran and I fought for the rights of every American in the Second World War. During WWII, I was one of the "Fighting Seabees" stationed in the Philippines. I spent my civilian life in Kansas and Colorado. Tragically, before I died, I was denied the rights to see my great grandchildren, Ronal and Jeremy. Maybe because of that, I chose to die
on Grandparents Day in 1994.

In 1991 my great-grandchildren were put into foster homes by the Chaffee County Department of Social Services. At that time, I was 74 years old, in ill health and got around with the help of a walker. Although I was in fragile health, each time there was a hearing concerning my great-grandchildren I appeared in court. During my struggles to visit and possibly adopt my great-grandchildren, I was imposed upon and put under armed guard by an officer of the court. The lawyers on the case requested this because they said I was a violent person. Although this was demeaning, I succumbed to it because I really hoped that I would see justice done.

But during my lifetime no justice was done for my family, or for my great-grandsons. I was forbidden to see my great-grandchildren even though I was dying. Chaffee County Department of Social Services told my daughter Shirley that they felt it would not be in the best interests of the children to see me. So I was denied my final wish, to be in the presence of my darling great grandsons, Ronal and Jeremy, before I died.

Now I leave a legacy for my daughter to fulfill. My last wishes are that my daughter fight for the rights of all grandparents, and see to it that the day comes when all Americans, whether they be black, white, or brown, receive their God-given right to see their grandchildren. It is my dream that all parents understand how important grandparents are to their children, and children to their grandparents.

I hope that one day all those with political power will understand that justice needs to be served. And it is my hope, too, that those grandparents raising America's children will have the support that they deserve to raise the future leaders of the United States