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A Noble Sacrifice In Benghazi is Honored
In the below listed article, Americans honor former Navy SEALs Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, the heroes of Benghazi, for their long distinguished service as US Navy SEALS, for saving 30 American lives in Benghazi, and for their valor while giving the last full measure of devotion to the Republic. Kindly pass this on to those in your address book who would also honor them.
From the Gettysburg Times, Monday, February 25, 2013:
A NOBLE SACRIFICE
Posted: Monday, February 25, 2013 12:05am - Updated: 7:10am, Mon Feb 25, 2013.
BY Dick Watson Times Staff Writer
A few months ago, on the 11th anniversary of the 2001 attack against the U.S., terrorists attacked the American Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Four Americans were killed: Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Foreign Service Officer Sean Smith, and private security detail members Ty Woods and Glen Doherty, both former Navy Seals whose sacrifice enabled 30 consulate members to get back home to their families.
Woods and Doherty were honored Saturday afternoon at a private Valor & Honor Ceremony at the Lodges of Gettysbury atop Gloryridge, a hill overlooking the Gettysburg battlefield.
The event was sponsored primarily by Sean Cassidy, the owner of the Lodges at Gettysburg, and NSW Kids, a nonprofit supporting children of the Naval Special Warfare community.
A number of corporate sponsors also attended the ceremony, as did Woods and Doherty family members and friends, some of the Benghazi consulate staff, as well as 50 active Navy Seals representing members of eight Seal teams.
The ceremony included the dedication, in Woods and Doherty's names, of a 40-foot flag pole; the participation of an honor guard led by Col. Mickey Helms, commander of the Longstreet Corps; a 21-gun salute directed by Brig. Gen. K.C. Meadows, commander of the Longstreet Corps; a "Freedom" Shot directed by the Hon. John Douglass, former Assistant Secretary of the Navy and a retired USAF Brig. General and Capt. and Unit Commander of Striblings Battery of the First Connecticut Artillery.
In his opening remarks, Cassidy said that Woods and Doherty, "were a living legacy of honor, valor and freedom who will never be forgotten in the special warfare and intelligence community and in the hearts and minds of proud American patriots."
As retired Navy Seal Capt. Rick Woolard began playing "Amazing Grace" on his bagpipe, he led everyone out to the flagpole, followed by five Honor Guard and 15 other members of the 13th and 14th Virginia Cavalry, the Black Horse Cavalry, and the 2nd U.S. Cavalry. All were U. S. military veterans. Included in the procession were two riderless horses with boots in the stirrups reversed, signifying fallen riders.
"It is fitting," said Cassidy, "that we honor Ty and Glen and dedicate this flagpole in their name here in Gettysburg that symbolizes American freedom."
Flying below the American flag at the top of the 40-foot pole was the flag of the Navy Seals.
A 21 gun salute by the honor guard was followed by TAPS, performed by Cadet Douglass, a 2nd Lt. in the Army Junior ROTC program at his high school; he will soon enter the U.S. Naval Academy's summer prep program.
"In every conflict there is a final shot that signifies the end of hostilities, pain and battle that all combatants look forward to," said Cassidy. "As we prepare to fire this last shot recognizing the end of Ty and Glen's struggles and granting them peace, we ask that you attach your sorrows and grief to this final shot and remember the joy and honor these two heroes have given us."
The 12 members of Striblings Battery of the First Connecticut Artillery then loaded and fired their Civil War cannon with nine ounces of black powder. The resulting roar reverberated across the open fields of the Gettysburg battlefield.
Back inside, Suzanne Vogel, president of NSW Kids pointed out that her organization served the Naval Special Warfare community by providing testing, tutoring and specialized therapies for children in the community. She told the several children that were present that, "We are sorry for your loss and we are forever devoted to you."
The ceremony concluded with personal remembrances of Woods and Doherty by family members and special friends as well as a short video about Seals' training by Michael Moorhouse.
Ty Woods joined the Navy in 2002. After becoming a Seal, he served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer in 2011 to do private security work for the U.S. government. He was 41 when he was killed.
Glen Doherty joined the Navy in 1995 and was a combat medic and decorated Seal (Petty Officer First Class). A triathlete, his Seal team responded to the attack on the USS Cole and served two tours during the Gulf War. He left the service after 10 years to do contract security work. He was 42 when killed during the Benghazi terrorist attack.
PTSD
We ask if you know of a brother Combat Veteran returning with PTSD to please do what you can to help them in your own small way; they need all of our support. This is the story of one Honorable US Marine.
God Bless his noble soul.