Soldier fathers child two years after dying in Iraq

CNN ^ | March 21, 2007 | Keith Oppenheim

[HungarianGypsy]

AUSTIN, Texas (CNN) -- Sometimes, when I sit down for an interview, there's a certain formality. I'm in one chair. The person I'm speaking to is in another. Not on this story.

In a living room in Austin, Texas, I was on the floor. The subject of our story was grabbing my face, fascinated with my teeth and whatever else caught his attention. Yet it seemed appropriate. Benton Smith is an adorable, 8-month-old boy on the verge of walking. For one so young, he seemed typical when it came to exploring something new -- like my mouth.

"Maybe he wants to be a dentist," I said.

But what isn't typical about Benton is how he came to be. Benton's mom is Kathleen Smith, better known to friends as "K.C."

"He was born July 14, 2006," she said.

"Two years after his dad passed away?" I asked.

"Pretty much almost exactly two years," she said.

[HungarianGypsy]

Not sure if this was already posted. Thought it was an interesting story.

[4woodenboats]

It's an outstanding story. Thank you for posting it.

[basil]

It will take me a while to get rid of the chill bumps. What a beautiful story. I know Dad is watching his wife and child from above.

[OldFriend]

G-dspeed, little boy.

[motormouth]

What a great story. I'll just wait for the negative nancys to show up and say how wrong this woman was because the baby will grow up without a father.
I give the gal lotsa credit and God bless that beautiful baby boy!!!!

MM

[lilylangtree]

Beats cloning.

[SubGeniusX]

I'm gonna get flamed for this and I am playing devils Advocate here ...

But aside from the fact that this is a fallen hero's child ... how does this differ from any other "single parent" or Mother going to a sperm bank and then raising the child in a single parent household.

I have a feeling the reaction here on FR would be much different if there was not a dead soldier involved... I propose that this women would be being soundly condemned as selfish and immoral for bringing a fatherless child into the world.

[motormouth]

Ping

[rintense]

You're right. If this were a single woman in her 30s, she would be verbally bludgeoned by many freepers.

[SubGeniusX]

You're right. If this were a single woman in her 30s, she would be verbally bludgeoned by many freepers.

And heck this is a single woman in her 40's ... that would make it even worse...

[JimWforBush]

I read a story similar to this early in the year about an israeli soldier.

[motormouth]

See post #5.

MM

[samantha]

If you cannot see the difference between a Woman that was Married and lost her Husband, but wanted to bear his Child (for any number of reasons), and a single (by choice)Woman getting someone's anonymous seed from a sperm bank you are lost. Quit while you are behind....

[rintense]

Not really. The major argument for those opposed to a single woman using a sperm donor is that the child grows up without a father. This child is not any different in that respect.

That said, I have no problem with what she did, nor do I have any issue with single women having children via sperm donors.

[DJ MacWoW]

Thanks for the post. I was sitting here wondering how to phrase the difference. :)

[DJ MacWoW]

This child has a FATHER and not a sperm donor. That father is deceased.

[rintense]

He is still growing up without one.

[the_devils_advocate_666]

"I will tell Benton his dad was a hero," said K.C., adding that every day she tells Benton stories about his daddy, the man who gave him life, only after he lost his own.

There is a father in this baby's life, it is just that he's deceased.

[Our man in washington]

My wife and I are looking into surrogacy. I'm also in the reserves.

If I get called up, one of the things on my checklist is to make sure that the fertility clinic has a little something from me before I go. And if the little one checks into the world after I check out, I just hope the little one inherits my politics but not my handwriting.

[SubGeniusX]

If you cannot see the difference between a Woman that was Married and lost her Husband, but wanted to bear his Child (for any number of reasons), and a single (by choice)Woman getting someone's anonymous seed from a sperm bank you are lost. Quit while you are behind....

I see no difference ...

Please clarify -

would the single mother love the child any less than the widow?

will the widow have to work outside the home less than the single mother?

Is grieving a lost loved one any more valid reason to bring a cherished child into the world than than simply wanting to bring a cherished child into this world?

and please try to do better than you are lost, if there are true differences please help me understand them.