Sean Smith (Vile Rat)'s father wants revenge, but also answers in Benghazi attack.
11 replies, posted
[QUOTE]Gulfport, Florida -- While the country still waits for answers about last month's attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, it's become personal for a Bay area father.
Rene "Ray" Smith's son, Sean Smith, was among those killed.
The Gulfport man was watching flag-draped coffins returning to the U.S. on the news when they flashed photos of the victims.
And there among them was his son.
"He was murdered. He was murdered," said Smith.
As a disabled Vietnam Veteran, Ray Smith, 63, has long lived with physical injury and psychological pain. But his heart is now broken too.
"I want them to get the people who did this," says Smith.
Sadly, the father and son had been estranged from one another for more than a decade, but were just starting to re-kindle their relationship.
"I was trying hard," said Ray.
Smith is angered by what he feels is a lack of honesty regarding the circumstances of his son's death. And now, this former U.S. Marine wants more than just answers.
"I want revenge," said Smith. "I want them to get the people who did this."
Smith has recently reached out to, and found an ally in, U.S. Representative C.W. Bill Young, who is a father and grandfather himself. Young says Smith deserves to know the truth.
"He wants answers. Just like the rest of the country," said the Congressman."They want to know why these American heroes were asking for help and being denied the help?"
"They haven't done anything. My son and them dialed 911 for help and they wouldn't help them," added Smith. "I want whoever did this, whoever didn't answer their phone, I want them brought to justice too."
For now, Ray Smith has only a nylon flag and a small plaque dropped at his doorstep to recognize his son's sacrifice, working for the State Department in Benghazi.
He also hopes Sean's death won't end efforts to re-establish ties with family members in California. He's most anxious, he says, to meet Sean's two children.
"Oh, my grandchildren. Because - I love them," he said.
For now, though, Ray Smith is overwhelmed. By sadness. By anger. And by a sense of helplessness.
Losing his son once all those years ago was painful. Losing him again - has been unbearable.
"I loved my son very much," says Smith. "He was extremely intelligent. And he did not deserve this."
Ray Smith says he'd also like to see a permanent memorial to his son. And he may get it.
Congressman Young says he's gotten an agreement from Bay Pines V.A. Hospital to display a plaque there in Sean's memory. [/QUOTE]
[URL="http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/article/280328/8/Gulfport-man-grieves-for-son-killed-in-Benghazi-attack"]source[/URL]
This makes me sad.
GOddamn inside jobs
To me the sad part is the wasted ten years where he was estranged from his son. I'm sure the dad is thinking that whatever issues he had with his son(and rest of the family from the sound of it), it wasn't worth losing ten years of time with him.
That whole "I demand answers" crap, well I have no sympathy there. His son was involved in dicey overseas work, working around CIA agents among others. That's dangerous work, you don't accidentally find yourself doing stuff like that, that was his choice. His dad was a Marine, that's a choice too. If he had been drafted he would have gone into the Army.
[QUOTE=cecilbdemodded;38271161]To me the sad part is the wasted ten years where he was estranged from his son. I'm sure the dad is thinking that whatever issues he had with his son(and rest of the family from the sound of it), it wasn't worth losing ten years of time with him.
That whole "I demand answers" crap, well I have no sympathy there. His son was involved in dicey overseas work, working around CIA agents among others. That's dangerous work, you don't accidentally find yourself doing stuff like that, that was his choice. His dad was a Marine, that's a choice too. If he had been drafted he would have gone into the Army.[/QUOTE]
The father is stricken with grief, its perfectly understandable for him to demand such things even if he knows their is a slim chance at it. Have some damn heart man.
What saddened me the most about this attack was that many civilians were actually trying to help him and save him.
[quote]"They haven't done anything. My son and them dialed 911 for help and they wouldn't help them," added Smith. "I want whoever did this, whoever didn't answer their phone, I want them brought to justice too."
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Last time I looked 911 wasn't an emergency number in any other country than the US?
[QUOTE=BorisJ;38271947]Last time I looked 911 wasn't an emergency number in any other country than the US?[/QUOTE] Depends what you mean. It actually will redirect to a local emergency service in a few countries I believe.
[QUOTE=Ereunity;38271850]What saddened me the most about this attack was that many civilians were actually trying to help him and save him.[/QUOTE]
Why does it sadden you that people tried to help him?
[QUOTE=Dysgalt;38271417]The father is stricken with grief, its perfectly understandable for him to demand such things even if he knows their is a slim chance at it. Have some damn heart man.[/QUOTE]
This father was estranged from his son for years, now he's playing the part of the grief stricken loving dad. Gimme a break. Notice how he threw in the part about hoping the rest of the family will still be willing to patch things up with him? This is about what happened to his son yet he still managed to make it about himself.
[QUOTE=MuTAnT;38272003]Depends what you mean. It actually will redirect to a local emergency service in a few countries I believe.[/QUOTE]
I think 'call 911' in this context doesn't mean 'call emergency services' I think it means being able to call for help and GETTING help in minutes, like you can in the US.
Considering there was a recent revolution in that country, I think it's obvious there are any number of reasons why you could call for help and not get it right away.
[QUOTE=cecilbdemodded;38274392]This father was estranged from his son for years, now he's playing the part of the grief stricken loving dad. Gimme a break. Notice how he threw in the part about hoping the rest of the family will still be willing to patch things up with him? This is about what happened to his son yet he still managed to make it about himself.
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[quote]Sadly, the father and son had been estranged from one another for more than a decade, but were just starting to re-kindle their relationship.[/quote]
Quit being an ass, the man lost his son and he wants to know why.
[QUOTE=Apache249;38273459]Why does it sadden you that people tried to help him?[/QUOTE]
Because they saved him and he died later.
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