Benjamin Melvin Berry was born to parents Hester and James Wallace Berry Sr. on September 21, 1923.  He is celebrating this milestone with a party at Philadelphia’s Mission BBQ.

He was one of four children.  He can proudly trace his ancestry back to great-great grandparents Paul and Ameilia Edmonson, whose children Emily and Mary were friends of Booker T. Washington and Frederick Douglass and were active abolitionists in the Washington DC. area in the 1840’s.   Their story is told in the book Fugitives of the Pearl.

Ben was drafted into the segregated US army in WWII in 1943.  He served in Germany, Luxembourg, France, England, and Belgium and was in The Battle of the Bulge, the largest battle fought by Americans in WWII.  His title was Technical Corporal, with duties of providing equipment and supplies to his company, even water for drinking, washing, and cooking.  Blacks were not allowed to fire weapons, but he and his buddies sometimes sneaked and practiced by shooting rats at the dump.  Ben prayed if God let him survive this war, he would serve him the rest of his life, and he has kept that promise.  He’s been a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Crestmont for nearly 90 years.  Ben was honorably discharged in 1945 after serving 27 months.

Ben went to Bok Vocational School on the GI Bill to learn paperhanging.   Although blacks were not allowed in the paperhangers’ union at that time, he became a successful entrepreneur, managing his own business for more than 60 years.  He provided apprenticeship opportunities to young people, some of whom opened their own businesses, and did charity paperhanging from time-to-time, for example papering walls at the Ronald McDonald House.  

 Ben has four children, 9 grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and lots of other family that he loves.   

Two of the many honors he’s received in his life include recognition for 50 years of service as a deacon at his church and election as president of the Philadelphia Paperhangers Guild.  

Ben has many interests, including genealogy, antiques, and veteran’s organizations.  He is on the Board of Aces, a veteran’s museum in Germantown, and is often interviewed about his experiences in the army.

Three things Ben would want you to remember are (1) Serve God and others (2) Save a lot; give some; spend a little (3) Put family first.

One thing I would like you to remember is that everyone has a story that others can benefit from hearing.  It’s important to tell your story.