Carlos M. Rojas, center, cries Tuesday after receiving $200,000 in insurance checks from Carlos G. Rojas, left, who mistakenly received them.
Posted on 03/16/2006 11:58:17 AM PST by freepatriot32
PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. (March 15) - Carlos G. Rojas didn't know what to think when the military life insurance checks started showing up at his office. He didn't know anyone who would have named him a beneficiary, and the checks totaled $200,000.
He called Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, which pays death benefits to military families, and the customer service representatives insisted the money was his and he should cash the checks, he said.
Rojas couldn't do it.
"It's not like picking up a penny you just found," said Rojas, a 29-year-old marketing consultant. "Somebody's life was connected with that money."
Meanwhile, Carlos M. Rojas, 62, wondered why he had never received life insurance payments for his son, Army Pfc. Kenny Rojas, killed by a land mine in October in Iraq.
Servicemembers' Group assured him the checks were in the mail.
On Tuesday, after weeks of searching, the younger Rojas tracked down the grieving father.
"I believe this belongs to you," he said, handing him the checks.
The two men had never met but once worked in the same Miramar office building - Carlos G. Rojas for Wells Fargo Financial and Carlos M. Rojas for Comcast cable television. Carlos M. Rojas had quit his job at Comcast, though.
The checks, addressed to only "Carlos Rojas," were sent to the building because the elder Rojas had recently moved.
It took nine weeks, but Carlos G. Rojas was able to find a telephone number for the grieving father.
"I feel pretty good that somebody is honest enough to not spend the money," said Carlos M. Rojas. "This is like the last gift from my son. It's still very sad that he is not here. I cry every night."
Servicemembers' Group has spoken with the elder Rojas and will be sending him a letter of apology, spokeswoman Laurita Warner said Wednesday.
"We are investigating this situation to find out what happened and will take steps to make sure this doesn't happen again," she said.
Carlos M. Rojas, center, cries Tuesday after receiving $200,000 in insurance checks from Carlos G. Rojas, left, who mistakenly received them.
Very decent thing to do.
What a noble thing to do.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
What a good man.
Good move. I also think a letter of thanks to Carlos G. Rojas is in order. Thank you for posting this heartwarming (yet simultaneously heartbreaking) story.
I think those two men might become fast friends.
Mr. Rojas' son fought and died so that this kind of goodness can prevail.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Turning away from the troll to a happy (yet sad) story...
Integrity is doing what is right even if you are not going to be held accountable by someone else. Mr. Carlos G. Rojas will be blessed by displaying this characteristic. I am sorry to hear about Mr. Carlos M Rojas' loss, but I pray that he take solace in having raised such a fine son.
This is really not that big a deal. Eventually the mixup would have been discoverd and he would have had to return the money.
Thank you for that word. Noble is the correct word in all of this.
Ping to a great story........
This degree of honesty used to be considered a normal character trait. Now it's unusual enough to be newsworthy. May God bless both gentlemen.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Sad but noble. Thanks for the ping!
I second that motion!
Thank you! I was just thinkin' 'boutcha.
Now there's a genius of a customer service rep.
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