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.
Replies
God bless this man. May he eventully have some peace.
It seems our government has tutrnned against our military. our fighting forces are the greatest ever known on this planet and our government should pray these forces are never pushed to turn on the government. I dont think a few thousand political figures could last more than a few hours before they were all rounded up and held for judgement by a military tribunal. Our fighting forced were deserted by our government on the field of battle after responding to an attack on SOVERIGN AMERICAN SOIL I feel this is treason and should be investigated by our military, law enforcement, and political body. I voice this opinion on the freedom of speach countless americans that have given their life blood to protect. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT HAS EVER SERVED TO PROTECT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONSTITUTION!!!!!!!
When one enlists in the United States Military, active duty or reserve, they take the following oath:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Seems like pretty good motivation to obey any order you're given, right? Nope. These articles require the obedience of LAWFUL orders. An order which is unlawful not only does not need to be obeyed, but obeying such an order can result in criminal prosecution of the one who obeys it. Military courts have long held that military members are accountable for their actions even while following orders -- if the order was illegal.
If any law infringes on MY Constitution, it is NOT Lawful.
Whether Obama is reelected or not, Treason charges should be considered against him, as he has done harm to America, and he has infringed of The Constitution of the United States of America, which I have sworn to defend. Any former President gets a life time pension, and 24/7 security detail for all the members of his family. Obama has done to much damage to America already, and we do not need to reward him with a life time pension and security.