Monday, March 18, AD 2024 9:52pm

A Matter of Honor

 

You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you are entitled to.

I have always enjoyed the speech of Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men because it contains quite a bit of truth in it, and I have regretted that the words are placed in the mouth of the villainous Colonel Jessup.  In regard to fallen American heroes Tyrone Woods and Greg Doherty it is completely, and righteously, applicable.

The higher-ups in the Obama administration who turned their backs on Woods and Doherty could never understand such men.  It was no part of their mission to supply embassy security.  Instead, after the Benghazi attack began, Tyrone Woods asked for permission to go and risk his life to rescue the embassy personnel.  He was denied permission two times, and he went anyway.  He was unarmed initially, picking up his weapons from what he found on the ground, the cast away arms of the Libyan mercenaries who were supposed to provide security at the consulate and who ran when the attack began.  He rescued 20 embassy personnel and got them to the CIA annex, where they were evacuated while Woods, joined by Doherty who arrived in Benghazi after the attack began, engaged in a lop sided fight against some 150 to 200 attackers.  During this time they gave live intelligence to their CIA higher-ups and requested military aid.  The CIA has denied that it was anyone from the CIA who vetoed the aid.  So, Doherty and Woods fought their own personal Alamo alone, slaying some 60 of their foes, until they were killed at their machine gun by a mortar round some six hours and twenty minutes from the time the attack began.

Doherty and Woods had their lives taken from them, fighting for their country and to save others.  They epitomize what the term honor means.  To the White House higher-ups who denied them aid, perhaps Doherty and Woods seemed to be fools:  “Didn’t they realize that personal survival is the be all and end all?  They were idiots for sticking their necks out!  Now we have this political mess to clean up!”  Yeah, it is easy to visualize both curses and laughter being aimed at the spirits of these men.  The Seal Code these men lived and died by would be literally incomprehensible to the people who made the decision not to send them aid:   1) Loyalty to Country, Team and Teammate, 2) Serve with Honor and Integrity On and Off the Battlefield, 3) Ready to Lead, Ready to Follow, Never Quit, 4) Take responsibility for your actions and the actions of your teammates, 5) Excel as Warriors through Discipline and Innovation, 6) Train for War, Fight to Win, Defeat our Nation’s Enemies, and 7) Earn your Trident every day.

Charles Woods, the father of Tyrone Woods, has addressed Obama directly:

“I was contacted by military personnel yesterday, who told me an interesting fact. And that is any consulate anywhere in the world is American soil,” Woods said. “Any attack on an American consulate is an attack on American soil. There were American citizens that were attacked for seven hours on American soil a couple thousand miles away from Washington, D.C.”

“My question of the president would be this: Your Honor, I respect your office as president. But if this attack on American citizens, on American soil, happened 2,000 miles away from Washington, D.C. — say in Los Angeles or in Seattle — would you have waited seven hours before you sent the first airplane? Would you have waited seven hours until the attack was over? Would you have waited a couple of days until you had all of the videos and all the information before you responded in a responsible military way?” …

“This is about honor, courage and about love for America. And remember this, Mr. President:  My son and the others died heroes and it’s better to die the death of a hero than it is to live the life of a coward. If you are responsible for the death of my son, I forgive you, I love you. I also love America.”

Go here to Hot Air to view a video of Mr. Woods saying this.  Some things transcend politics and this is one of them.  Two very brave men died because no assistance was sent to them.  We need to find out all of the facts and then punish those who made this decision.  Honor demands this.

Update:  Hattip to Ed Morrissey at Hot Air.  Retired Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet Admiral James Lyons speaks out:

The Obama national security team, including CIA, DNI, State Department and the Pentagon, watched and listened to the assault but did nothing to answer repeated calls for assistance. It has been reported that President Obama met with Vice President Joseph R. Biden and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta in the Oval Office, presumably to see what support could be provided. After all, we had very credible military resources within striking distance. At our military base in Sigonella, Sicily, which is slightly over 400 miles from Benghazi, we had a fully equipped Special Forces unit with both transport and jet strike aircraft prepositioned. Certainly this was a force much more capable than the 22-man force from our embassy in Tripoli.

I know those Special Forces personnel were ready to leap at the opportunity. There is no doubt in my mind they would have wiped out the terrorists attackers. Also I have no doubt that Admiral William McRaven, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, would have had his local commander at Sigonella ready to launch; however, apparently he was countermanded—by whom? We need to know.

I also understand we had a C-130 gunship available, which would have quickly disposed of the terrorist attackers. This attack went on for seven hours. Our fighter jets could have been at our Benghazi mission within an hour. Our Special Forces out of Sigonella could have been there within a few hours. There is not any doubt that action on our part could have saved the lives of our two former Navy SEALs and possibly the ambassador.

Having been in a number of similar situations, I know you have to have the courage to do what’s right and take immediate action. Obviously, that courage was lacking for Benghazi. The safety of your personnel always remains paramount. With all the technology and military capability we had in theater, for our leadership to have deliberately ignored the pleas for assistance is not only incomprehensible, it is un-American.

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Stilbelieve
Stilbelieve
Tuesday, October 30, AD 2012 5:21am

This Administration has brought shame down on America.

Paul W. Primavera
Tuesday, October 30, AD 2012 5:59am

I hope that regardless of whatever sins they may have committed in this life time, the good Lord mercifully grants these men a place in Heaven. I cannot conceive justice otherwise.

Elaine Krewer
Admin
Tuesday, October 30, AD 2012 6:08am

Speaking of honor, here are some folks who DO know what it means… the guards at the Tomb of the Unknowns who stayed at their post through the wrath of Hurricane Sandy:

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/guards-tomb-unknowns-remain-during-hurricane-165122482–election.html

trackback
Tuesday, October 30, AD 2012 7:24am

[…] A Matter of Honor – Donald McClarey, American Catholic Can't Find What You're Looking For? […]

WK Aiken
WK Aiken
Tuesday, October 30, AD 2012 7:29am

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

I think your prayers are well-placed, Paul, and most likely just as well answered.

philip
philip
Tuesday, October 30, AD 2012 8:49am

Mr. President. Did you nap during your seven hours of shame? The Seven hours of heroic servitude across the seas will not be forgotten, nor will the seven hours of shame be forgiven.

Paul W. Primavera
Tuesday, October 30, AD 2012 9:01am

I would say, “…nor will the seven hours of shame be forgiven except that you repent.”

God will always forgive a truly repentent heart. However, it is sadly very unlikely that this will occur in the case of Barack Hussein Obama. One may and should nevertheless pray that otherwise is the case.

philip
philip
Tuesday, October 30, AD 2012 9:25am

Amazing Grace! Agreed. Thanks Paul.

Rozin
Rozin
Tuesday, October 30, AD 2012 9:54am

StilBelieve says: “This Administration has brought shame down on America.”

The Admin has shamed itself even though they are shameless. However, America is only shamed if it validates and endorses the Administration after finding out about their actions.

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Tuesday, October 30, AD 2012 1:59pm

[…] American Catholic has a very good and detailed account of the bravery of these Navy Seals here:  https://the-american-catholic.com/2012/10/30/a-matter-of-honor/. Like this:LikeOne blogger likes this. from → Politics, Uncategorized ← Barack […]

Don the Kiwi
Tuesday, October 30, AD 2012 5:28pm

I hope this sad and cowardly episode is the final nail in the coffin of the gutless wonder who infects the White House. The very hallowed halls of that symbol of American pride must be cringing as he oils his way around them.

May God have mercy on those brave men, and welcome them to Himself.

Phillip
Phillip
Tuesday, October 30, AD 2012 6:41pm
Joseph Valenti
Joseph Valenti
Wednesday, October 31, AD 2012 7:36am

Pray for the country that is about to be overrun by Islam. I still cannot believe that this is naivete on the part of this President. He can’t be that stupid. This is the deliberate policy of this administration: Bow before Islam. Fools or traitors?

philip
philip
Wednesday, October 31, AD 2012 9:23am

Joseph Valenti-

It’s heartbreaking to have to wonder about your president’s core beliefs.
His actions speak volumes and it is sickening to witness his abuse of power.
The 07′ ObamaNation by Corsie, the Obama’s America 2016 does shed some light on the core.
When I spoke to a supporter of Obama over these possible indicators of his heart, the retired physician told me; “Oh come on. He was vetted years ago and become a senator…thats good enough for me. You and your ilk are on a witch hunt.”

Actions do speak volumes and O’s agenda is dark.

philip
philip
Wednesday, October 31, AD 2012 9:25am

..bacame a Senator…excuse me.

philip
philip
Wednesday, October 31, AD 2012 9:28am

became ( on phone at moment..pardon please. )

elm
elm
Wednesday, October 31, AD 2012 9:41am

I took the time to watch “The Dreams of My Real Father” last night. The puzzle pieces seem to fit together without forcing them in the theory presented in this movie. Will the real BHO ever be exposed?

philip
philip
Wednesday, October 31, AD 2012 10:37am

If and when he is truly exposed will he be in or out of office? So many are trying to make sure he is out by then.
On the morning of the 6th I will be 100 ft. in front of one of our polling sites to pass out Right to Life voters guides.
In 08′ the morning was full of “bird flipping, sneers and angry Obama zombies spewing their venom.” About 30 guides were asked for.
It will be interesting to see the difference this year. Obama had a 16 point lead last year here in Michigan. Let’s pray it’s reversed this year.
By the way, the greatest feeling is knowing that your surrounded by invisible souls helping you stand fast in the face of death.
All Saints and holy souls…viva Christo Rey.

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Friday, November 2, AD 2012 5:43am

[…] and, inexplicably and incredibly, refused to send military assistance on the evening of the attack, and left American heroes Tyrone Woods and Greg Doherty to fight on unaided and to die.  This is gross incompetence verging on the criminal.  We cannot allow them to get away with […]

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Sunday, November 4, AD 2012 8:17am

[…] At National Review Online they had the superb idea of taking Kipling’s poem Mesopotamia and applying it to the Benghazi debacle.  The Mesopotamian, modern day Iraq, Campaign had been a disaster for the British in 1916 with a British army surrendering to the Turks at Kut.  British public opinion was outraged at the incompetence that led to the defeat.  When a report by the government on Kut was published in 1917, Kipling responded with his devastating poem.  (Ironically the British in 1917, under the able General Frederick Maude, had succeeded in capturing Baghdad by the time the poem appeared.)  The lines of the Kipling poem do seem to apply word for word to the Benghazi shame: […]

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Saturday, November 10, AD 2012 6:22am

[…] Petraeus, over an alleged affair, a week before he was to testify before a Senate committee on Benghazi, brings to three the number of high-ranking officers connected with Benghazi or its aftermath who […]

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