California’s War Dead

    Benjamin B. Portell

    Benjamin B. Portell, 27

    Army, Sergeant
    Mosul, Iraq
    Gender: Male
    Hometown: Bakersfield
    Wherever Ben was, there was a group of people. He had a really, really tender heart.
    — Brian Murphy, pastor

    Portell's older brother was also serving in Iraq. His younger brother was stationed in South Korea. When Portell's father called his mother at work to tell her their son had been killed in Iraq, she asked: "Which one?"
    Times obituary
    « James K. Healy, 01/07/2008
    Nicholas D. Eischen, 12/24/2007 »
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    Five memories of Benjamin B. Portell

    I JOHN PORTELL WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY HOW SORRY I'M TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS OF A SON AND FAMILY MAN.TAKE CARE AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND HELP YOU THROUGHT THIS PAIN YOUR FEELING.

    — john portell
    March 26, 2009 at 9:28 a.m.
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    Ben really had such a positive affect on everyone around him. He walked into a room and lifted everyone's spirits just by being himself. I am privileged to have known him. He made an impression on my life and in my heart that will never go away. I will forever miss him.

    — S.B.
    November 11, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
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    I Timothy b.Portell 3rd did not really know ben but i am really sorry for your loss the famliy is here if you need use

    — Timothy B. Potrll 3rd
    April 15, 2010 at 11:45 p.m.
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    I don't know this soldiers as I'm just visiting the website. I thank him and his family for his dedication to our county. Thank you for keeping America free and protecting our beliefs. It's because heroes like you my very young daughter will be able to live freely in this wonderful country. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Many your memory never be forgotten. RIP

    — Kevin Gregory
    December 31, 2010 at 2:22 p.m.
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    Thank you!!! for your sacrifice, words do little to describe our sincere gratitude. However, there is a hope for a future where such wonderful people will not have to die in the wars of the world. ISAIAH 2:4 "And he will certainly render judgement among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore...REV.21:3,4.."Death will be no more."

    — krystal
    March 31, 2012 at 10:31 p.m.
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    California's War Dead is the Los Angeles Times' collection of stories about the 736 California servicemembers and 490 others based in California who died during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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