ProRodeo Sports News - May 28, 2021

weekend, where Americans pause to reflect on those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to ensure basic freedoms that many of us probably take for granted. Ben, 75, a lifelong resident of San Antonio, enlisted in the Navy in 1967 and served on a destroyer off the coast of Newport, R.I., until 1970. Due to “circumstances beyond my control,” he didn’t re-enlist and returned to his previous occupation of firefighter, a position he held for 29 years before retiring as a lieutenant at the age of 49. But the time aboard the vessel served him well. “Anybody joining the military is going to learn to stand on their own,” Ben said. “That’s one of the things that going into the military can help young men and women, to become better citizens. You learn to love your country.” The story then took a rather interesting, ironic twist not long after Ben’s retirement from the fire department. “I found out I had not saved enough money to last the rest of my life, so about four years later, I ran into this industry through my oldest son,” he said. That was the rapidly emerging industry of sound production in rodeos in which Benje was on the cutting edge. By 2001, Benje’s talents enabled him to become the first music director – a newly created position – of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, a title he’s held ever since. “I got doubled up one weekend, and I trained my dad to do it, and he liked it,” Benje said. “I eventually started sending him to places, then he started his own company and was doing it himself.” In this case, father followed son’s footsteps, not vice versa. “I think all fathers who have served would like that experience for their sons and possibly their daughters,” Ben said. “I feel that both my sons (also

John) and my daughter (Christi) have made great contributions to society in their chosen professions. I told Benje years ago that I once thought I would be very proud to have him follow in what I have done, but now I am equally as proud to be following him in what he is doing.” Even at 75, Ben has no plans on slowing down, producing sounds and effects at rodeos fromNew York to Oregon. “Here I am, 22 years later, and this is something a person can do as long as their mind is clear,” said Ben, who also has a residence in Calhan, Colo. “Benje had an extra job but hired my daughter to do the music in Pecos, Texas, in 1999. He asked me to go out there and help her. She did the music, and I was her technical guy in the background. I did electronics in the Navy and everything went smooth. That’s how I got started and it just escalated from there.” And on a weekend that marks the unofficial start of summer and much revelry and partying takes place, the Bendele family takes a break from the grind, unintended at first but now permanent, to not take freedom for granted. “Last year changed the lives of a lot of people,” said Benje, referring to the coronavirus pandemic. “We had a cancellation on Memorial Day weekend, and we took the family to the lake for a vacation. We had such a great time, just getting away. Now, I’m going to give up what I had on Memorial Day weekend to spend time with my family. “I would not have been able to do my job without my father’s guidance, and I’m very thankful to live in a country where people died so we can be free. I would not have been able to accomplish what I have without that commitment of people I don’t even know.”

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ProRodeo Sports News 5/28/2021

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