The widow of a U.S. Navy SEAL killed in Yemen stood in the balcony of the House chamber, tears streaming down her face as she looked upward and appeared to whisper to her husband.
Democrats and Republicans alike stood for minutes to applaud Carryn Owens, giving her the loudest cheers of the night in a rare moment of unity during President Donald Trump’s first speech to a joint session of Congress. Her husband, Senior Chief William “Ryan” Owens, was killed last month in a raid approved by Trump, a decision that has been sharply criticized by some — including the slain SEAL’s father — and which Trump continued to defend Tuesday night.
Trump, near the end of his hour-long speech, paid tribute to Carryn Owens, a surprise guest whose presence in the first lady’s box was not announced in advance by the White House.
“The challenges we face as a nation are great. But our people are even greater. And none are greater or braver than those who fight for America in uniform,” said Trump, who said they were “blessed” to be joined by Owens.
The president then turned to the balcony where Owens sat next to Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, and said “Ryan died as he lived: a warrior, and a hero — battling against terrorism and securing our nation.”
The chamber roared with cheers as Owens stood and cried, creating what would likely become the signature moment of Trump’s address.
But Owens’ death, as well as the killing of several civilians, has raised questions about the effectiveness of the raid, and Trump took a moment to again litigate the decision. He quoted Defense Secretary Jim Mattis defending the action, saying “Ryan was a part of a highly successful raid that generated large amounts of vital intelligence that will lead to many more victories in the future against our enemies.”
“Ryan’s legacy is etched into eternity,” Trump said. “For as the Bible teaches us, there is no greater act of love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Ryan laid down his life for his friends, for his country, and for our freedom — we will never forget him.”
He also struck an awkward note, saying that the prolonged ovation would have made Carryn’s slain husband “very happy, because I think he just broke a record” for applause.
Carryn Owens cheered the president’s remarks. But Owens’ father, Bill, has denounced the raid that took his son’s life and refused to meet with Trump when the president greeted the Navy SEAL’s remains when they were returned to the United States.
He told the Miami Herald last weekend that the raid was a “stupid mission” and called for an investigation.
“Don’t hide behind my son’s death to prevent an investigation,” the elder Owens warned Trump. He did not attend the speech.
(AP)
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7 Responses
This is The Real AMERICA
With a Real PRESIDENT
for all the Fake news that said this Operation was a waste !
Wake up from you Overdose & Stop Smoking Liberalism
What a warmhearted compassionate President America merited! May he merit continued Heavenly assistance. What a mentch! What a kindhearted soul!
While President Trump honored the widow, Hillary/Obama’s liberal nutcase Dan Grilo called the widow an idiot for appreciating Trump’s sympathy towards her.
And boy were the loony Democraps upset when Trump requested the DHS open an office for victims of immigrant crime.
It would have been a nice gesture if Trump hadn’t tried to make it all about him, with his stupid joke about the longest applause line in SoU speech history…like his “most votes in electoral college history, biggest crowd in inaugural history etc. Even when he stays on message and delivers a good speech, he still manages to find ways of stepping on his message (and using others like Owen’s widow, as props for his own self-adulation.
TO ALL YWN READERS: I said i wouldnt post again but this must be said.to Gadolhadora , Huju , RT , I am convinced now are paid by some George Soros Group to post first and fast about anything that can undermine Trump. GADOL you have some nerve to write this garbage . I hope others will realize that I speak the truth . YOU ALL ALL PAID OFF PAWNS and a major Chillul Hashem.
what a stupid father he knows his son gave his life for his country and what he signed up for
Trump blames anything negative about the mission on obama and his own generals, as if he as commander in chief, and HE approved the mission NOT obama,had nothing to do with it. A fraud and coward!
As usual katen hador (#3) always against the ‘RIGHT’way when it comes to his posings against the torah subjects like separate seatings on busses , ‘women off the wall’ etc etc, pro rightious gentiles who persue the ‘RIGHT’ thing etc etc like our president