Corporal Ben Kopp loved his country. And he gave his life for it. The 21-year-old Army Ranger was a few months into a deployment in Afghanistan when he was killed in a Taliban gunfight.
"His wound was repaired in surgery, but he never woke up from that surgery," said his mother, Jill Stephenson.
But Ben lives on -- in other people. He decided to become an organ donor, and because of that decision he has saved lives back here in the United States.
His mother, Jill Stephenson, finally met some of the people who received his organs. It was a touching meeting. The parents of those he saved expressed their gratitude and love to the mother who lost her son but gave their children life.
Davaun Mason, 16, of Virginia, is doing well today. He hugged Jill Stephenson and thanked her for the kidney he received.
Curtis Brantley is a liver recipient. He suffered for years with liver problems. He said he not only received a new liver, but also a new family member.
"I know that I'll never be her son, physically, but I pray that I can be him for her, spiritually," Brantley said. "(Kopp) and his family gave me life, and I pray I can give them back life with what they gave me."
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Stephenson is strong in a very soft way. She said meeting the organ recipients helps her stay close to her son, who paid the ultimate price.
"I know he's looking down from heaven and he's very proud of the gift he's been able to share with all the people whose lives have been affected," she said.
