My City September 2021

“Eric was very driven, intelligent and outgoing his entire life,” Betty says. “The one thing I don’t want people to forget about Eric is that he was a spe cial person. I feel that he gave his life for his country, though not by choice.” Clinging to hope in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, the Ben netts drove to New York in search of answers. They met with some of the many people who knew Eric along with representatives from Alliance Consulting. The company paid lodg ing costs for loved ones of missing employees who traveled to the city and provided grief counselors. “They also hired a car to take us to the hospitals so we could be assured that Eric wasn’t one of the John Does being treated there and, unfortunately, he wasn’t,” Betty recalls. “When we met people in New York after 9/11, everyone talked about how Eric’s smile would brighten any room.” The Bennetts also put up posters with Eric’s photo and listing his tat too of a bulldog, Ferris State’s mascot, which also featured a dog tag that read 58, Eric’s jersey number.The posters also noted stretch marks on his upper body, the result of Bennett dropping from a muscular 255 pounds to 180 following the end of his college football career. Unfortunately, the Bennetts re turned to Michigan without most of the answers they were seeking; but, along with daughter Kim, put to gether a video of Eric’s life which was shown at a gathering of more than 400 people at Kearsley High School on October 14. Many honored Eric by wearing the same tattoo as his. p

Doug Arnold, the quarterback Ben nett snapped the ball to and protected at Ferris State, also knew as did then Ferris football coach Jeff Pierce, who was defensive coordinator when Bennett played there, and Pierce’s wife, Suzie. All four repeatedly called Bennett’s cell phone. Arnold’s wife eventually learned from someone at Alliance’s headquarters that Bennett had left a voicemail message stating he was safe and attempting to evacuate the building.

Meanwhile, Terry Bennett, Eric’s father, raced home from his job at a General Motors plant, learning of the north tower’s collapse from radio news reports while driving. Tragically, Eric was not heard from again. He is the only Flint-area victim of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The passage of two decades has done little to lessen the Bennetts’ pain of senselessly losing the bright light they are proud to call their son.

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