PLYMOUTH, Mass. -- A Massachusetts native was one of two Army paratroopers found dead Tuesday in Afghanistan, according to a family statement.

Benjamin Sherman was one of two men missing since last week. Sherman's sister, Meredith, told NewsCenter 5 that the military has confirmed his death to the family. She told NewsCenter 5 that her brother and his wife, Patricia, were expecting their first child.

In an e-mail to NewsCenter 5, Meredith Sherman released a statement in addition to a statement from their mother, Denise. Both statements follow in their entirety.

---

My brother is the type of man whose main values are honor, respect and standing up for what you believe in. Yet, more importantly, he was all about brotherhood. He would consider every single soldier, friend or even a stranger his brother. I know that day he jumped into the river to try to save his comrade was not because he didn’t just see another soldier in the water, he saw his brother. He didn’t jump in because he was trained to, but because that’s what his heart told him to do. There is not a doubt in my mind he would do the same for each and every single individual not only in the United States but anywhere in the world. I love my brother more than anything and I am heartbroken at the loss we are suffering. He was fun loving, brave and full of life and everything he did he did 150%. He put his heart and soul into anything and everything. He loved tattoos, music, drums and was an avid Boston sports fan. He LOVED his Red Sox. But most importantly family, he loved his family. He didn’t consider his friends, “friends,” he considered them family. He was the perfect brother, even when he teased me as little kids, yet we always had a close bond. He was an amazing son, brother, husband and soldier and I will never forget him. I hope you can find it in your heart to pray for Benjamin and his fellow comrades. And I want to personally thank each and every soldier fighting for our freedom Please ask the nation to come together for all of us.

Sincerely,
Meredith P. Sherman



You do not know my son personally. I would like to share with you about him. He was raised under the American flag to be honorable, loyal, respectful and courteous. He was strong willed and has never been a quitter. I raised him with the understanding that when you choose to do something you do it to the best of your ability. He was powerful, ingenuous and determined. Perhaps now you understand why he fit in the Army so well. We called him the unstoppable one. There are many who are strong believers in the power of prayer including Benjamin’s family, friends and colleges. I am requesting because we are One Nation under God that you ask for our nation to come together and pray. To pray for all who are missing to persevere, be found safe and returned home, for those have gone before us and have made their sacrifice to our country, for those who serve our great nation to be guided and protected. We have volunteer Armed Forces which gives amazing credit to those who serve. I pray for our leaders every day that they are guided to make good decisions. I ask that you honor this request. Let us not forget, Let us pray until they are all home.

God Bless,
Denise D. Sherman
Plymouth, MA