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| Trump makes unannounced trip to honor fallen Navy SEAL |
| 2017-02-02 |
| Assuming the somber duties of commander in chief, President Donald Trump made an unannounced trip Wednesday to honor the returning remains of a U.S. Navy SEAL killed in a weekend raid in Yemen. Chief Special Warfare Operator William "Ryan" Owens, a 36-year-old from Peoria, Illinois, was the first known U.S. combat casualty since Trump took office less than two weeks ago. More than half a dozen militant suspects were also killed in the raid on an Al Qaeda compound and three other U.S. service members were wounded. Trump's trip to Delaware's Dover Air Base was shrouded in secrecy. The president and his daughter, Ivanka, departed the White House in the presidential helicopter with their destination unannounced. A small group of journalists traveled with Trump on the condition that the visit was not reported until his arrival. After returning to the White House, Trump commented on the trip at the swearing-in of Rex Tillerson as secretary of state. "I just returned from an amazing visit with a great, great family at Dover," Trump said. "It is something very sad, very beautiful. Ryan, a great man." Marine One landed at Dover shortly before a C-17 believed to be carrying Owens' remains touched down. The president met with Owens' family during a two-hour visit to the base. The sailor's family had requested that Trump's visit and the return of Owens' remains be private. Owens joined the Navy in 1998 and was the recipient of two Bronze stars, a Joint Service Commendation and an Afghanistan Campaign Medal, among other honors. In a statement following his death, the Navy Special Command called Owens a "devoted father, a true professional and a wonderful husband." |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #7 I'm sure Trump didn't take any selfies like his predecessor would have. |
| Posted by: bbrewer126 2017-02-02 20:12 |
| #6 Going to see that at Dover is I sad and sobering event. I'm glad he went. |
| Posted by: 49 pan 2017-02-02 19:18 |
| #5 Open Source Survey of the US Raid in Yemen - bellingcat |
| Posted by: newc 2017-02-02 16:40 |
| #4 And he didn't go to a fund raiser instead... |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom 2017-02-02 11:15 |
| #3 Do you have some reference for that CU? |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2017-02-02 08:26 |
| #2 Gee, DJT didn't talk about himself did he? And he didn't want the media to know where he was. Doesn't really seem like the last guy does he? |
| Posted by: AlanC 2017-02-02 07:52 |
| #1 Most likely Trumps first combat mission that he approved. Has to be sobering to realize that your first order as Commander in Chief resulted in the death of good man. Something he has never had to experience before. |
| Posted by: Glitch Omosh1595 2017-02-02 01:56 |