According to his obituary, "Ben was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served in the Korean War with the 11th Marines Field Artillery on the Western Front. He was a member of Post 153 American Legion and a trustee of Post 3733 V.F.W.

Ben loved to donate time to military projects, including fund raising. Along with his cousin, Louis Pline, he was instrumental in establishing a Veteran's Memorial in St. Mary's Cemetery in Westphalia."