The movie 13 Hours began showing in theaters in Greenville and across the country last Friday. The movie is based on the book 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi. This very accurate movie is recommended for anyone who would like to know the truth about the attack on the diplomatic compound in Benghazi that resulted in the death of four Americans that was mishandled by the Obama Administration and has resulted in investigations to this day. American Ambassador Christopher Stevens, State Department Communications Officer Sean Smith, former Navy SEALs Tyrone “Rone” Woods and Glen “Bub” Doherty died while fighting off a terrorist attack and pleading for help from their government that never arrived because it was never sent.
Someone in Washington issued an order to “Stand down!” to all government agencies that could have provided help.
President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and other government officials for weeks claimed that the attack was the result of a demonstration caused by a film clip shown in California. They told at least three survivors of casualties of the battle that the anti-Muslim film was the cause. They were later proven wrong and that they knew the truth, but lied. The attack took place on September 11, 2012, the anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and less than two months before the General election that would win Barack Obama a second term. It appeared obvious to many that the cover-up was designed to insure the reelection of Barack Obama. That is speculation that has not been proven.
Two former Navy SEALs and a former Army Ranger, three of the six members of the Annex Security team that ignored orders to “Stand down!” and answered the pleas for help from Ambassador Stevens and his staff were determined to tell the truth about Benghazi. They risked their lives further and worked with Author Mitchell Zuckoff to document what really happened at Benghazi. They provided information for the book and served as technical advisors to the filmmakers. They have received no recognition from their government for their heroic deeds.
On the 25th of March 2015, The Times Examiner was honored to have the opportunity to sponsor a dinner for Kris “Tanto” Paronto, one of the heroes of the Benghazi attack. About 35 people attended the event. Every attendee had an opportunity to have a personal conversation with “Tanto” who is very outspoken and frank, however neither he nor the other two will discuss politics. The following day “Tanto” addressed the Greenville County Republican Women’s Club and a much larger group.
“Tanto” autographed books at both events that detailed the inside account of what really happened in Benghazi. The book records the true events that happened on the evening of September 11, 2012. The three heroes whose story is recorded in the book served as technical advisors to the movie director. All three insist that the movie accurately portrays what really happened. “Tanto,” who is a tough character with a big smile and a sense of humor said he told the director of the film that if events were not presented accurately that he (the director) would be “water-boarded.”
I treasure my autographed copy of 13 Hours. I have personally known several Medal of Honor winners. Kris “Tanto” Paronto and the men who disobeyed orders to “stand down!” and went to the aid of their fellow Americans in Benghazi measure up, and in my view “make the cut!”