Last night the real Donald Trump finally stood up. If he can show the world the same compassion he showed Ryan Owens’ grieving widow, and live by the same code as the SEALs, he can truly make America great again
The Navy SEALs have their own Code.
‘In times of war or uncertainty,’ it starts, ‘there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer the nation’s call. A common man with uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity, he stands to serve the American people and protect their way of life.’
Navy SEAL senior chief petty officer William ‘Ryan’ Owens was such a man.
This heavily-decorated hero was killed in the recent terrorism-related Special Forces raid on a target in central Yemen, the first United States combatant to die under the authority of President Donald Trump as Commander-in-Chief.
Owens was married with three children.
Last night, his widow Carryn attended President Trump’s speech to the Joint Session of Congress and became part of the single most moving and memorable moment ever that great institution has surely ever witnessed?
It was a moment that defined Mrs Owens, an astonishingly brave and dignified woman
It was a moment that defined her equally brave and noble husband.
It was a moment that defined President Trump’s new presidency in a way perhaps even he hadn’t realised was going to happen.
And it was a moment that defined America.
I’m not ashamed to admit that I shed a tear watching the extraordinary scenes as they unfurled.
When you come from a military family like mine – my brother is a serving British Army Officer – then you are acutely aware of the ultimate sacrifice made by our armed forces when they are sent into battle.
For every soldier who dies, there is a family back home that partly dies too.
The Owens family will never be the same again.
That much was clear as we watched poor Carryn’s tortured face.
Yet now, even in her deepest, darkest grief, there came something to make her battered heart burst with pride, inspiration and gratitude.
It came from the most unlikely source.
Donald Trump waged an unprecedentedly uncompromising and divisive election campaign, and his first few weeks as President have been conducted in similar tone.
For his friends like me, it’s sometimes been hard to reconcile this ruthless, polarising and often brutal character with the far less aggressive and more human man we know personally.
But last night, the real Donald Trump stood up.
‘We are blessed to be joined tonight by Carryn Owens, the widow of U.S. Navy special operator, Senior Chief William ‘Ryan’ Owens,’ he said.
‘Ryan died as he lived, a warrior and a hero, battling against terrorism and securing our nation.’
Congress rose as one to turn to Carryn Owens and deliver 30 seconds of sustained applause.
She sat, looking shocked and flushed by the sudden attention, then raised her eyes high above. We knew who she was thinking about, who she was connecting with.
She closed her eyes briefly.
It was an unbearably poignant spectacle.
President Trump continued: ‘I just spoke to our great General Mattis who reconfirmed that, and I quote, ‘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 enemy’.’
President Trump looked up again at Carryn Owens to speak directly to her. ‘Ryan’s legacy is etched into eternity. Thank you.’
Now she was on her feet, applauding too, and raising her tear-stained eyes again high above as she gasped for breath.
Congress began to roar, and Carryn Owens wept and smiled as Ivanka Trump, standing beside her, briefly took her hand.
‘Thank you,’ she mouthed back.
The applause this time lasted nearly two minutes. On and on it went, a raw and rare intensity to its power and noise.
Then, as Carryn Owens finally sat down, Trump looked up to her again and went off script, realizing something remarkable was happening.
‘And Ryan is looking down right now. You know that? And he’s very happy, because I think he just broke a record!’
Congress erupted with spontaneous laughter.
Carryn did too, and clapped ecstatically.
Trump spoke again: ‘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. And we will never forget it.’
Congress sprang once more to its feet and huge applause broke out for a further 20 seconds. Carryn stood back up, wiped her face, and clapped again. Then she took one last look up to the Heavens.
No more words needed to be said.
Carryn had just listened to the President of the United States pay heartfelt public tribute to her slain husband.
She heard him affirm that Ryan’s death was not, as some have suggested, in vain.
And she heard him say ‘thank you’, in front of tens of millions of Americans watching at home.
Two simple words, but ones that would mean so much to a widow who must be wondering every second if the sacrifice her man made for his country was worth all the pain she and their children are now enduring.
The whole country now knew that Ryan Owens was a hero. Her Ryan.
The same country also saw a side to President Trump that many were sceptical even exists; a softer, gentler side that exuded genuine empathy to a young woman who is suffering beyond our imagination.
By doing so, he cut through the toxic political divide and united Americans in a way he has singularly failed to do since he won.
I can’t put it any better than CNN’s Van Jones, a diehard Democrat and severe Trump critic, who said: ‘He became President of the United States in that moment, period. That was one of the most extraordinary moments you have ever seen in American politics. If he finds a way to do that over and over again, he’s going to be there for eight years.’
Sadly, others less able to control their partisan bias raced to accuse him of cynically exploiting a war widow.
These were the very same people who cheered as the grieving parents of a Gold Star war hero (justifiably) ripped into him at the Democrat Convention.
And the howling celebrity liberal mob predictably came out again to spitefully lambast him.
‘Watch this idiot,’ sneered Kathy Griffin to MSNBC, after the speech. ‘One hateful thing after another. I’m a big resister and I don’t believe in compromise with this president. He’s crazy, mentally ill.’
Really, Ms Griffin? That was your takeaway from this speech?
I truly despair for some of these celebrity Trump-haters, they seem to have collectively lost their minds.
The reality is that this was the best political speech Trump has ever made, because it was the most unifying and positive.
And the main reason for that was Carryn Owens and the way he spoke to her.
My advice now for President Trump, as he basks in the rarity of plaudits from all sides, is to carefully read the rest of the Navy SEALs’ Code.
This a slightly abridged version of it:
‘I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day.
‘My loyal to Country and Team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I serve with honour on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men. Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honour are steadfast. My word is my bond. I lead by example in all situations. I will never quit. I preserve and thrive on adversity. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.
‘We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The success of our mission depends on me – my technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is never complete.
‘I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country. The execution of my duties will be guided by the very principles that I serve to defend. Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. The legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.’
Heed those words, Mr President.
If you strive to adapt the SEALs mantra that Ryan Owens lived by to your presidency then you will be a better man and president, and America will be a better country.