Arvada West grad killed in Iraq after call to mom

By Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 6, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Photo by Family Photo

Kennith Mayne joined the Army at 18.

Staff Sgt. Kennith Mayne talked to his mother two hours before he was killed early Thursday in Iraq.

"He was tired," Michelle Benavidez, 47 of Arvada, said of her son. "He wanted to know where his beef jerky was. We would make beef jerky and send it to him, along with candy and toys."

Mayne, 29, was killed when his Humvee was hit by an roadside bomb outside of Baghdad. He was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas.

Born in Bellflower, Calif., he moved to Colorado when he was 2 years old. He graduated from Arvada West High School in 1997.

He joined the Army at his mother's insistence when he turned 18 .

"He wasn't really good at high school and I told him, 'You need to pick a branch of the military,' and he picked the Army," Benavidez said.

"He loved it and decided to make a career out of it. He loved the military and he was very proud to serve his country," she said.

Mayne was originally assigned to the 101st Airborne, and was first deployed to Iraq in 2003, as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He returned after a year, and was stationed in various states. He switch to the 4th Infantry because the division was to be transferred to Fort Carson after the latest deployment.

"He had been in the South for 11 years and he wanted to come home," said his mother. "He loved being in Colorado."

Mayne was deployed to Iraq in March this year, and had come home on leave in July.

"We went golfing and fishing a lot," recalled Benavidez.

Mayne would call his mother several times a week when he was deployed overseas. In their conversation Thursday, he also talked about his plans to take his parents to Jamaica for a week after he returned.

Benavidez also said she had talked to her son about the dangers of being in Iraq.

"He said he was trained, and he believed in what he did," she said. "If he had to, he was willing to die for his men, or for the people of Iraq, if that was what he needed to do."

Mayne was especially fond of the children he would meet while on patrol.

"He loved giving toys to kids," said Benavidez. "I would send him Hot Wheels, soccer balls and coloring books. He had great empathy for the children of Iraq."

Benavidez said the family was devastated by Mayne's death.

"He was a hero," she said. "He believed what he was doing over there. Regardless of why we went into the war, he believed he was doing good with the Iraqi people."

Services for Mayne will be in Colorado, although a date has not been set.

Besides his mother, he is survived by his stepfather, Dan Benavidez, sisters Christina Biederman and Jennifer Morman, and a brother, Danny Benavidez, all of Arvada.

fongt@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5489

• September 6, 2008

  2:26 a.m.

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  doreenstokes writes:

  My prayers are with this family at this hour of need. Thank you Michelle for raising a man proud to serve and die for his country and fellow men. His generosity to the children of Iraq is commendable beyond what any words can say or express.

  I am so sorry for your loss and you and your family shall be in my prayers. May God grant you the peace to get through this trying time. I'm so glad that you were able to speak with him right before his death. Be as strong as you can be and remember he is always with you in spirit. I strongly believe that our loved ones are always with us. God bless you all and again my thanks to your beautiful son for giving the ultimate gift for his country.

• September 6, 2008

  9:36 a.m.

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  Laserlight writes:

  My sincerest condolences for your loss. Your son was a true
  hero and represented the best ideals and spirit of our country
  and military. He believed in what he was doing, was
  compassionate, and performed his duty without hesitation. Our
  military is full of such fine sons and daughters. They honor us,
  and stand guard as sentinels in countries far away protecting
  our freedoms against those who would do us harm. God Bless
  them all!

• September 6, 2008

  11:52 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  NotUrFriend writes:

  My and the countries humblest and sincerest condolences for your loss, and our gratitude for his sacrifice. You are in our prayers and you will know brighter days.

  Isaac

• September 6, 2008

  7:41 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  jamies_wife writes:

  I know Sgt. Kenneth Mayne very well. He was my husband and mine's roomate at Ft. Hood before they deployed. I helped Ken get his things together for what would be his final send off. He and my husband Jamie were best friends. Ken will be deeply missed and we will miss his humor about life most of all. He was a great friend to me and my family. My son loved him like a brother but, who didn't? R.I.P Ken, we love and miss you buddy, thanks for everthing!!

• September 6, 2008

  7:43 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  GoldStarMom27 writes:

  To the family of SSGT Kennith Mayne,
  Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We were so saddened to hear of the loss of yet another young Hero. Your son was a true soldier, he will never be forgotten...I pray that God gives you the strength you need during this difficult time. We too, lost our son to this war, I'm sure he was waiting with open arms to welcome your sweet son. He will be with you always...

• September 7, 2008

  1:07 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  ProudArmyWife38 writes:

  To the family and friends of SSGT Mayne,
  Mine and my family's thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad time. Unfortunately, too many of us know the loss of a brave young man or woman fighting for this country. Our thanks to your son, who gave his life for a fight he believed in, for our country and for the people of Iraq. His compassion for the people, especially the children, of Iraq shows the world what a special person he was. We should all do our part to live by his example. I pray that God blesses you all and brings you peace and guidance during this difficult time.

• September 7, 2008

  7:29 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Rangerjoe1 writes:

  Gods Blessings to his family. We owe all our freedoms to him.
  A thought filled "THANK-YOU" from all of US.

• September 7, 2008

  9:11 a.m.

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  RealTexan writes:

  As a veteran I will salute Staff Sgt Mayne for the ultimate sacrifice he has given in the service of this country. I will offer my prayers to his family for thier loss as well. The men and women serving our country in this day and time are nothing short of true heros, each and every one of them. May God comfort and watch over all of them.

• September 7, 2008

  11:12 a.m.

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  toocool writes:

  S/SGT Mayne: You walk with the Heroes, from your brothers in arms here @ MCB Camp Pendleton...to your family...OOORAH!

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