California’s War Dead

    Benjamin B. Tollefson

    Benjamin B. Tollefson, 22

    Army, Private
    Balad, Iraq
    Gender: Male
    Hometown: Concord
    More than anything, Ben wanted to provide for his family, and he knew the military would be able to do that.
    — Mary Tollefson, mother

    At his memorial service, which drew 1,300 people, friends and family members spoke about the goofy guy with the high-pitched laugh who did hilarious impressions of hapless surfer dudes, who knew how to scam his way out of homework and soccer practice, whose eclectic musical tastes ranged from electronica to heavy metal to rap to pop, who joined the Army as an out-of-shape, aimless wanderer and quickly morphed into a burly, motivated man.
    Times obituary
    Contra Costa Times article on Tollefson's death
    KGO-TV report on Tollefson's death
    « Joshua R. Townsend, 01/16/2009
    Tony J. Gonzales, 12/28/2008 »
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    Four memories of Benjamin B. Tollefson

    Ben was a great friend and shared the same love for music. We will never forget you ben.

    — Maxx Sherman
    January 3, 2009 at 1:22 p.m.
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    Will never forget a fallen soldier. May God hold you in his arms.

    — sadie lambert
    May 11, 2009 at 7:26 a.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 2:17 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 judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many 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 10:55 p.m.
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    Sources: Times research, Defense Department, iCasualties.org
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    California's War Dead is the Los Angeles Times' collection of stories about the 700 California servicemembers and 474 others based in California who died during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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