Benjamin E. Bragg passed away at his home on November 24 at the age of 94. Last Friday, a Mass of Christian Burial was officiated by Fr. Thomas Lutz at St. Augustine Church followed by burial at the Union Cemetery of Lloyd with full military honors.

Bragg was born on August 10, 1924 to Frederick and Bertha (nee Litts) in Centerville, the original heart of Lloyd. He graduated from Highland High School in June 1942 and shipped off to serve in WW II in November of that year.

Bragg served as a line Corporal in the 742nd Field Artillery Battery B of General George Patton’s 3rd Army. He was in the D-Day invasion, with his company later striking deep into Germany, eventually liberating the Dachau and Auschwitz concentration camps at the close of the war.

Upon returning home, Bragg married his “sweetheart cheerleader” Rosalie Rizzo on September 8, 1946 and they founded Bragg Electric. They had four children, Benjamin, Patricia, Dennis and Robert and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Rosalie passed away in 2004 after 58 years of marriage.

At the Mass Fr. Lutz recalled Bragg once telling him that he was “one of the lucky ones” who survived the war and came home when so many lost their lives at such a very young age.

“God gave him that gift of life of 94 years to tell the story of true heroes and the remarkable men and women who served in the Armed Forces,” Fr. Lutz said. “He leaves behind a legacy to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and a legacy of service that he’s provided to this community, to the Fire Department, to the American Legion and the Highland School District; the list is extraordinary of

what one individual can do.”

Fr. Lutz said Bragg was a member of the Greatest Generation.

“We cannot honor them enough for the sacrifices and the freedoms they won for us,” he said. “We know the world would be a very different place if it wasn’t for the heroism of people like Ben and the many others who gave their lives to bring freedom to us.”

Brad Scott said Bragg visited the grave of his beloved Rosalie as part of his daily routine and regularly attended 5:30 pm Mass every Saturday at St. Augustine’s Church. He said Bragg was a fixture at the American Legion for 71 years, attended Lloyd Republican Party meetings for decades, local high school soccer, football and basketball games and was a strong supporter of the Highland School District.

Scott said after experiencing the horrors of war and seeing the atrocities of the German concentration camps, Bragg became convinced that people, “have to step up for righteousness and for what they believe in and never depart from your principles and values, such as you become complicit in the sins of others. Ben, certainly, was unwavering in sticking to his principles and values his entire life.”

Bragg was a past Asst. Chief of the Highland Hose Company, helped to found the Highland Little League and the American Legion Post 193, where he served as Post Commander and later as Chaplain. He served on the Town and School Boards and was honored with a “Distinguished Friend of Education” Award from the Ulster County School Board Association and named a “Highland Hero” by the Highland Central School District.

Patty Bragg said her father-in-law married his high school sweetheart, Rosalie Rizzo.

“They did everything together and he loved her so much. In his eyes she had no flaws except one – she was a Democrat,” which brought smiles and warm laughter to a solemn occasion.

Ashley Bragg looked up to her great-grandfather.

“His love for family and for his country is something that has changed my personal values. I hope to raise a family half as well as he did and serve my community to carry on his legacy,” she said.

Ashley and her brother Jordan sang one of Bragg’s favorite songs, “God Bless America.”

Ben F. Bragg said his grandfather, “was a powerful man who always instilled courage, respect, honor, integrity and love. Life as we know it today has been influenced in some way by this great man. Grandpa led by example, always making the decision of putting others first and has provided us with the leadership skills we need to be successful in anything we do. Thank you Grandpa for teaching us how to respect the big and small things in life and because of you, I’ve learned how to be respectful and grateful for everything this town, country and family has to offer.”

Bragg highlighted several comment made on social media about his late grandfather: “He was a legend,” “Such a sweet man,” “So sorry, huge loss,” “What a great man and a champion of education,” “No one person could be more iconic in our town or missed more,” “The world has lost a great human being,” “He made all of Highland proud,” “He was an inspiration to many people and he will be greatly missed,” “A true American Hero,” - that’s the community talking about my grandfather.”

Bragg said his grandfather loved to sing and played a recording of him singing “Let Me Call You Sweetheart”, which he loved to sing to his wife. Eugene Rizzo attested to Ben’s love of singing, recalling that at one wedding the DJ was late and Ben filled in by singing for 45 minutes. “Uncle Ben, thank you, we all love you and we’ll never forget you.”

At the graveside Ft. Lutz said, “Our brother Benny has gone to his rest in the peace of Christ. May the Lord now welcome him to the table of God’s children in heaven...Let us commend our brother to the Lord, that the Lord may embrace him in peace and raise his body on the last day.”

Highland Fire Chief Peter Miller explained the traditional ringing of the fire bell, a custom that dates back to the close of the Civil War.

“The first five strikes signifies Ben E. Bragg’s assignment and duties are done. The second five strikes are in memory of Benjamin E. Bragg and the third five strikes are a tribute to his life. The fourth series of strikes is in honor of Benjamin E. Bragg’s service. Chief James Anzalone struck the bell in Bragg’s honor.

The American Flag that draped Bragg’s coffin was meticulously folded by the Honor Guard and Chris Frowland, Commander of the American Legion Post 193, presented it to Bragg’s son, Benjamin A. Bragg.

A 21 gun salute and the playing of TAPS ended the ceremony.

In a subsequent interview, son Ben A. Bragg said he was moved by the ceremony.

“The outpouring from the community was unbelievable, the American Legion, the VFW, Rolling Thunder, the Fire and Police Departments,” he said.

Bragg attributed the warm response because of his father cared for everybody in his community.

“I mean he just helped so many people out. What really struck me at the wake was how many kids from our high school came to see him and four or five were going into the military because of him. They told me my Dad inspired them so much with his talks at the school. That was so impressive to me.”

At a luncheon at the Legion Hall that followed the burial, it was announced that Post #193 was going to be dedicated to Benjamin E. Bragg.