Condolences from Benny Legaspe AKA CHACHO.
Ben Luna was my best friend as we grew up in ELA.
His parents were like a 2nd Mom and Dad to me and his sis like my sis.
Rest in peace my good friend and may perpetual light shine on you AMEN!

Uncle ditto for twenty four ears you were a big part of my family big part of my life you were a wonderful man we had good times I will miss you I will miss all your talks I love your stories I miss you love you love Tonya grajeda 2022

Ben, musing on lions' roars in the streets of El Monte.

The last thing Ben said to me, about 3 months ago was "Don't forget me." He was sitting at the bus stop, Lower Azusa and Peck and I hadn't seen him since he'd moved from his home. We talked about things that were on his mind. It was the only time I saw him angry. That was the 3rd and last time I ever spoke with Ben.

The first time was 7½ years ago. I noticed your Uncle Ito right away when I got on this bus, and I thought "Wow, an old time Chicano". I sat in front of him and we got to talking, he waxing eloquent on the history of El Monte. Just as he was describing how a good portion of El Monte could hear lions roaring at Gay's Lion Farm and smiling as if he heard the roaring in his head, I snapped his picture. This was another picture I took on that occasion.

Six and a half years later when I met Ben at his home, it was like no time had passed. He launched into the history of El Monte, the U.S., Texas, Mexico and France, Italy and Spain. (Only I didn't connect him with the man I'd photographed years earlier.) Ben spoke of things I'd only heard my husband speak of, of my husband's ancestor who founded San Patricio, TX, of the Irish who fought with (not against) the Mexicans in the mid 1800's. And he spoke of the barrios and Hicks Camp. My husband knew the Preacher's daughter at Hicks Camp, and her husband, Judy and Ernie, back in the 50's and 60's. I really wanted to talk to Ben more about this because he must have known my husband (El Toro), a gabacho with curly blonde hair and hazel eyes, who spoke Spanish, wore zoot suits and had a Cuban wife. I had many questions I wanted to ask Ben. Now I can never ask them.

I’m so sorry for your loss. 
Bennie was a friend of mine, I’m proud to say. 
I have fond memories of Bennie drifting in and out in my head over all the time I’ve known him. Though we lost contact long ago, I’ve often thought of Bennie, my dear friend. 

I remember when Bennie (as we affectionately called him), so long ago, back at the historic Piraña Coffee House, where he first read this poem to me. I was awestruck...

Benjamin Luna

drum song

flowers for the fallen kings. 
Sweet flowers 
fair flowers 
flowers for the kings of Mexico 
for the fallen kings of Mexico 
dead forgotten kings of Mexico 
sleeping in the haunting brown earth 
weeping in the haunting brown earth 
dreaming in the haunting brown earth 
sleeping 
weeping 
dreaming 
flowers 
for the fallen kings of Mexico

AAAAAAAAAAAAYI 
war chants and broken arrows 
for the fallen Gods of Mexico 
for the broken gods of mexico 
once triumphant gods of Mexico 
Quetzal feathers for the high gods 
for the vanquished gods of mexico 
weeping for the man of Mexico 
for the broken men of mexico 
for the fallen men of mexico 
for the vanquished men of mexico 
Benjamin Luna

OBITUARIO

Benjamin Rochin Luna

22 marzo, 1939 – 7 septiembre, 2022

Turner & Stevens Live Oak Mortuary & Memorial Park

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