BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP: Students honor fallen hero

By Amber Cox, Staff Writer
   BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — Hometown hero, the late Spc. Benjamin Moore, was honored through a fundraiser called Hugs from Home at Bordentown Regional High School.
   Army Spc. Moore, 23, gave his life while serving his country in Ghanzi Province, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle in early January.
   About 45 students participated in the fundraiser by collecting essential goods, including toothpaste, deodorant, lip balm and lotion. A special breakfast and sendoff of the items was held March 16 in the high school library.
   Health and physical education teacher Erica Wright got the ball rolling for the fundraiser. She said that after contacting Hugs from Home, the school received about 40 empty tubes to fill with goods.
   Spc. Moore’s father, Patrick, his mother, Amy, and older brother, Patrick Jr., attended the breakfast and were presented with a floral arrangement.
   ”This is exceptional,” Ms. Moore said. “It’s great to see the students coming out and helping. They really need it over there.”
   Ms. Wright said she had just found out that morning that all of the tubes are going straight to Spc. Moore’s unit in Afghanistan.
   ”I think it’s important that we do this,” she said. “It was time for us to celebrate his life.”
   Spc. Moore grew up on Prince Street in Bordentown City and graduated from the high school in 2006. He began volunteering for Hope Hose Humane Fire Company when he was 16 and continued until he enlisted in the army.
   Spc. Moore joined the Army in 2009 and was assigned to the 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, New York, after completing his training.
   During his time in the Army, he earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the NATO medal.
   Freshmen Koedi Shakir, Simran Gupta and Richy Massey said they thought the fundraiser was a great idea, and it was well put together.
   Freshman Robert Gallo said he thought the fundraiser was a great idea.
   ”I’m glad we can help out the people that are helping our nation,” he said.