âHe was always thereâ: Tribute to beloved volunteer firefighter in Fort Calhoun Share Updated: 6:33 PM CDT Mar 16, 2021 Share Updated: 6:33 PM CDT Mar 16, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript DAVID: THINKING ABOUT THE FAMILY. JOSIE, THANKS. TO CALHOUN NOW, FATHER BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE TO A MAN WHO DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO HELPING OTHERS. ALEXANDRA: HUNDREDS OF FIRST RESPONDERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOK PART IN THIS PROCESSION, TO HONOR THE LIFE OF DENNIS BENDER. HE PASSED AWAY LAST WEEK, WHILE FIGHTING A GRASS FIRE. KETV NEWSWATCH 7âS ABBIE PETERSEN JOINS US WITH T MEMORIAL. ABBIE: I SPENT THE AFTERNOON IN FORT CALHOUN ALONG THE PROCESSION ROUTE FOR THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER WHERE IT WAS VERY CLEAR HOW WELL-RESPECTED AND HOW MUCH DENNIS BENDER MEANT TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. PRESENT ARMS! ABBIE: A FINAL RIDE HOME FIT FOR A HERO TO HIS COMMUNITY. DRAPED IN BLACK, THE PONCA HILLS FIRE STATION REMEMBERED ONE OF THEIR OWN. A SIGN OUTSIDE THANK DENNIS BENDER FOR HIS 50 YEARS OF SERVICE. ONE AFTER ANOTHER, EMERGENCY CREWS FROM NEIGHBORING AGENCIES JOINED IN ON THE PROCESSION, HONORING BENDER, WHO WHO LOST HIS LIFE IN THE LINE OF DUTY, EVEN IF THEY DIDNâT KNOW HIM. >> TO BE HERE JUST TO HONOR HIM AND WHAT HE HAS PUT IN FOR TIME AND SACRIFICE, IT MEANT A LOT. ABBIE: MANY KNEW BENDER PERSONALLY, INCLUDING ALEX GROSSMAN, HIS NEIGHBOR OF MORE THAN 30 YEARS. >> HE WAS ALWAYS THERE TO HELP PEOPLE, ALWAYS THERE ABBIE: PEOPLE LINED THE PROCESSION ROUTE NEAR THE CEMETERY, SALUTING AND WAVING AMERICAN FLAGS. >> IT IS TO BE EXPECTED FOR SOMEBODY WHO HAS GIVEN SO MUCH OF THEMSELVES FOR SO LONG. ABBIE: STEVE CRAMER KNEW BENDER THROUGH BOY SCOUTS, BUT SAYS THE FIREFIGHTER ALSO SHOWED UP WHEN HIS SON WITH DOWN SYNDROME HAD A SEIZURE YEARS AG >> IT WAS JUST COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT HE WAS IN GOOD HANDS WITH DENNIS. ABBIE: AND ALTHOUGH MANY IN THE COMMUNITY TELL ME THINGS WILL NEVER BE QUITE THE SAME, ONE THING IS FOR CERTAIN, THEYâLL NEVER FORGET HIM, OR HIS SERVIC >> WELL, IT IS GOING TO LEAVE A HOLE IN THE COMMUNITY. HE RELATED A LOT TO ADVANCE EMT TRAINING IN NEBRASKA AND THE COMMUNITY. ABBIE: I WAS TOLD THERE WERE MORE THAN 25 DIFFERENT AGENCIES AND 250 UNIFORM PERSONNEL THAT ATTENDED TODAYâS FUNERAL AND HELPED BRING DENNIS BENDER