“13 Hours” is a movie based on the book of the same title by Mitchell Zuckoff and the Annex Security Team, a true account of the terrorist attack on the Benghazi Compound in Libya, on Sept. 11-12, 2012, which resulted in the death of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and his Communications Officer Sean Smith.
Following the attack, controversy and coverups ensued. There were allegations and questions. The administration said there were no assets able to assist. Some American personnel attested they were told to stand down.
We do know this: There was no official response to pleas for help from fellow Americans. A team of Global Response Staff did respond and “13 Hours” is their story.
Hillary Clinton testified before Congress May 8, 2013: “Was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night and decided they’d go kill some Americans? What difference — at this point, what difference does it make?”
It does make a difference. American lives are the utmost priority. Since when do we not respond to pleas for help from our own? The truth makes a difference and these brave men want you to have an accurate account of what happened from people who were there.
Zuckoff states in the Note to the Reader in the book: “Their intent is to record for history, as accurately as possible, what they did, what they saw, and what happened to them — and their friends, colleagues and compatriots — during the Battle of Benghazi.
“It is not about what officials in the United States government knew, said, or did after the attack, or about the ongoing controversy over talking points, electoral politics, and alleged conspiracies and coverups …. It is about what happened on the ground, in the streets, and on the rooftops of Benghazi, when bullets flew, buildings burned, and mortars rained. When lives were saved, lost, and forever changed.”
We are a self-governed people. It is our duty to be informed. We are living under soft tyranny. What happened in Benghazi is very important. It is paramount that America hears this story. If nothing else, see this movie to honor these brave men.
A showing of great interest in this movie will send a message to them that we care and it will send a message to all three branches of government that we are awake, we are watching. Please go see “13 Hours” for yourself, your family, your country and to honor these great heroes.
Alisha Paur
Arapahoe