“Land of the free, because of the brave.”
That was the reoccurring theme running through my head on Tuesday night as President Donald Trump took time out of his first address as President to honor fallen U.S. Navy SEAL William ‘Ryan’ Owens.
His widow, Carryn Owens stood in the gallery of the House of representatives beside First Daughter, Ivanka Trump, as a sea of lawmakers from around the country applauded her husband’s sacrifice.
“Ryan died as he lived: a warrior, and a hero—battling against terrorism and securing our nation,” Trump said.
The 36-year-old Chief Special Warfare Operator died last month in a raid against al Qaeda in Yemen. President Trump made an unannounced visit to Carryn Owens shortly after news broke of her husband’s death.
“Ryan’s legacy is etched into eternity. Thank you,” Trump said directly to the widow.
As she stood in his honor and overwhelmed with emotion on Tuesday evening, Carryn received three minutes of standing ovation.
Afterward, Trump looked up at the grieving widow and remarked, “Ryan is looking down right now and I think he’s very happy because I think he just broke a record.”
Carryn’s tear-soaked smile in response said it all.
The President even deviated from his speech to add his own token of gratitude:
“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 Ryan.”
