The Palmer House hosted a Patriot’s Day tribute last Sunday, featuring book signings, live music and a patriotic spirit shared by the hundreds upon hundreds of Americans who came from across the state to share in a love for our country. The day also included a raffle, with the proceeds benefitting a charity committed to preventing Veteran’s suicide.
Palmer House owner Paul Braun was busy all day, tending to a pair of speakers and also orchestrating some incredible live music by GB Leighton.
Amazing food, patriotic camaraderie and even an outdoor viewing of the Vikings-Packers game were all on the menu, but the true “special” of the day was the chance for attendees to speak with a pair of real American heroes. Despite huge lines that greatly exceeded the scheduled four hours of time for the meet and greet and book signings, both featured attendees sacrificed once again and provided time for the Patriot to ask some questions.
Tanto
Kris “Tanto” Paronto is a former US Army Ranger who was working as a CIA security contractor on 9-11-12 when terrorists launched their attack in Benghazi, Libya. His heroic actions on that day have been immortalized in a book and feature film that share part of a common title and are known simply as: 13 Hours. The storyline is familiar to many Americans, as the attack resulted in the death of the Ambassador, Christopher Stevens, as well as CIA contractors Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, two of the men who fought alongside Paronto. Also killed was U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Specialist Sean Smith. While the American government failed to act during the terrorist onslaught, Paronto and his fellow security comrades did not, instead choosing to respond to the calls for help and saving dozens of lives in the process.
The line of patriots eager to meet Paronto, an accomplished author, was stacked deep all day long and his signed books were obviously treasured by the hundreds of emotionally charged individuals who greeted him and walked away inspired by his courage, humility and honor.
Paronto graciously shared some of his thoughts with the Patriot on the 10th anniversary of the attacks in Benghazi.
“My life is about honor and courage and leadership. I don’t get angry like I used to . . . it didn’t help. From 2016 to 2018 I was in a bad place after the movie came out, but then I finally stepped back and brought God back into my life. When I finally realized that Benghazi wasn’t about all the things that went wrong, but about what went right . . . that I was seeing the tremendous courage of my teammates and seeing the best of what humanity has to offer, which is selfless service and sacrifice and those willing to give of themselves so I could come home. I get to enjoy my wife and son because these men gave themselves up. I think that’s a gift that you can’t take back. You don’t see that anywhere else except on the battlefield or on the streets if you are in law enforcement. It will always keep me from being angry. I saw two angels that day in Benghazi (Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty). That team knew what the mission was and that meant we were going to protect each other and come back home. I was blessed to be there that night with those guys because I was able to see saints in action.
Benghazi is a blessing - ten years later and I want to honor them and also the other two patriots as well (Ambassador Stevens and Sean Smith). When you are left behind and nobody’s coming for you, you really do see your true colors and all I saw was five other team members of mine come together and get stronger.
For those that are responsible for leaving us there, I’m not angry anymore. They will be judged when we are all judged . . . I don’t need to see what God decides to do with those people. God doesn’t need me to see it, but I have faith that they will be judged at that point in time and that allows me to see the silver linings.
When you go through adversity and obstacles, it’s teaching you for something later in life. Benghazi is about overcoming adversity and understanding now that God put me through those trials and tribulations earlier in life because if I didn’t go through all that, I don’t know if I would have made it out of there.”
Heart Of A Ranger
People also had the chance to meet Jill Stephenson, the mother of American hero Cpl. Ben Kopp, who in 2009 died of injuries he received during his third deployment as a U.S. Army Ranger. Kopp was credited with directly saving the lives of six of his fellow soldiers during battle and after his death, he saved many more because of his status as an organ donor.
Stephenson’s only son had been inspired by the military service of his grandfather and on September 11, 2001, his sadness over the months-earlier death of that same man turned to anger over the terrorist attacks of that fateful day.
Ben grew up in Rosemount, MN and his story is slated to become a major motion picture. Here is what Jill shared with the Patriot in our interview:
“The Book, Heart of a Ranger, is the biography of my son, Ben, a United States Army Ranger, who was killed in action during his third overseas deployment. When he was removed from life support, he donated all his major organs, as well as his bones, skin and tissue. He directly saved four lives and enhanced over sixty more with his donation. The book is about his life and history and also shares a little bit of my grandfather’s history as a MN Red Bull. Ben idolized his grandfather and came home on 9-11 and vowed to join the military and make Osama Bin Laden pay for what he had done. His sadness turned to anger. He made a declaration at that age of 13 and five years later he made good on that promise. He followed in his great-grandfather’s footsteps and was assigned to the 3rd Ranger Batallion after training at Fort Benning. The author of the book, Bill Lunn, was a news anchor for KSTP in the Twin Cities and he was from the same hometown as the woman who received Ben’s heart. Bill’s own son attended basic training at Fort Benning and Bill said while he was there for the graduation, he felt Ben’s energy - which we call ‘Benergy’ - and he contacted me soon after and asked to write a book about Ben’s life. I continue to tell Ben’s story because I feel an obligation and I owe Ben the honor of telling him his story.”
Many incredible stories. One incredible afternoon in rural Sherburne County. And a gathering of hundreds of Patriots commemorating and celebrating two Real American Heroes.
