Be Careful What You Wish For...
By Diego Garcia III | Editor of The Brownsville Beacon
The other day, I was perusing my Facebook news feed when a friend who could easily be categorized as a tinfoil hat wearing conspiracy theorist cleverly quipped about the apparent lack of terrorist attacks and the fact that mainstream media had seemed to forget about foreign terrorists and their sinister plots to wreak havoc in the United States.
Apparently the gods were listening.
This past Thursday, at approximately zero-six fifteen hours, a 20 year-old Syrian living in Corpus Christi approached the north gate of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. Armed with a handgun, a shotgun, an an AR-15 style rifle, he tried breaking through the defenses where a female sailor was shot in the chest as she approached the vehicle to check for the driver's identification. Thankfully the sailor was wearing her body armor and the bullet took the pistol round, protecting the sailor. She was able to reach for the button that raised an emergency barrier, preventing the would-be assassin from entering the naval base. She then drew her sidearm and was able to "neutralize" the assailant by firing into his vehicle.
Authorities believed the terrorist wanted to gain access to the base and go on a shooting spree, killing as many sailors as possible. Had it not been for the brave efforts of the sailors on duty at the north gate that day, Memorial Day would have taken on a whole new meaning for several families of the sailors stationed at NAS Corpus Christi.
The FBI and other Texas law enforcement agencies were seen surrounding a house and taking evidence from that same house in Corpus Christi. A public records search by a local Corpus television station was able to confirm that was the last known address of the terrorist. Authorities swept the terrorist's vehicle for an explosive device, but were unable to find one. Authorities also said there may be a second "person of interest" at large around the Corpus area.
The investigation is ongoing.
We have been very fortunate there had not been any terrorist attacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is apparent terrorists have still been planning attacks, and this is no time for the United States to stop being vigilant.
Terrorism and terrorists do not take vacations. Travel restrictions and shelter-in-place orders may have delayed some of these terrorist plots, but it is apparent there are still plenty of people out there who want to strike fear in the hearts of everyday Americans and continue the Global War on Terror.
The sailor who prevented the mass shooting at the naval base is absolutely a hero. She saved countless lives by doing what she was trained to do. Social media has erupted over the last few days calling her a hero. There have been calls for her receiving all kinds of medals and awards up to the Bronze Star and the Navy Cross.
The Navy Cross is a stretch. The Navy Cross is the second highest award for gallantry in combat against an armed enemy. The Bronze Star is the fourth highest award that can be awarded for valor in combat behind the Silver Star. It will be interesting to see what decoration she is eventually awarded. I think a more plausible award would be the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, or the Navy Commendation Medal. It really doesn't matter what medal her commanding officers think she deserves; she is definitely responsible for saving lives and should be recognized as a hero.
We are very fortunate Corpus Christi will not be remembered like Pensacola, Florida and Pearl Harbor have been in the last few months. Instead of wondering why we haven't heard the news reporting terrorist attacks, we should be glad there haven't been any terrorist attacks reported.
Be careful what you wish for.
The other day, I was perusing my Facebook news feed when a friend who could easily be categorized as a tinfoil hat wearing conspiracy theorist cleverly quipped about the apparent lack of terrorist attacks and the fact that mainstream media had seemed to forget about foreign terrorists and their sinister plots to wreak havoc in the United States.
Apparently the gods were listening.
This past Thursday, at approximately zero-six fifteen hours, a 20 year-old Syrian living in Corpus Christi approached the north gate of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. Armed with a handgun, a shotgun, an an AR-15 style rifle, he tried breaking through the defenses where a female sailor was shot in the chest as she approached the vehicle to check for the driver's identification. Thankfully the sailor was wearing her body armor and the bullet took the pistol round, protecting the sailor. She was able to reach for the button that raised an emergency barrier, preventing the would-be assassin from entering the naval base. She then drew her sidearm and was able to "neutralize" the assailant by firing into his vehicle.
Authorities believed the terrorist wanted to gain access to the base and go on a shooting spree, killing as many sailors as possible. Had it not been for the brave efforts of the sailors on duty at the north gate that day, Memorial Day would have taken on a whole new meaning for several families of the sailors stationed at NAS Corpus Christi.
The FBI and other Texas law enforcement agencies were seen surrounding a house and taking evidence from that same house in Corpus Christi. A public records search by a local Corpus television station was able to confirm that was the last known address of the terrorist. Authorities swept the terrorist's vehicle for an explosive device, but were unable to find one. Authorities also said there may be a second "person of interest" at large around the Corpus area.
The investigation is ongoing.
We have been very fortunate there had not been any terrorist attacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is apparent terrorists have still been planning attacks, and this is no time for the United States to stop being vigilant.
Terrorism and terrorists do not take vacations. Travel restrictions and shelter-in-place orders may have delayed some of these terrorist plots, but it is apparent there are still plenty of people out there who want to strike fear in the hearts of everyday Americans and continue the Global War on Terror.
The sailor who prevented the mass shooting at the naval base is absolutely a hero. She saved countless lives by doing what she was trained to do. Social media has erupted over the last few days calling her a hero. There have been calls for her receiving all kinds of medals and awards up to the Bronze Star and the Navy Cross.
The Navy Cross is a stretch. The Navy Cross is the second highest award for gallantry in combat against an armed enemy. The Bronze Star is the fourth highest award that can be awarded for valor in combat behind the Silver Star. It will be interesting to see what decoration she is eventually awarded. I think a more plausible award would be the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, or the Navy Commendation Medal. It really doesn't matter what medal her commanding officers think she deserves; she is definitely responsible for saving lives and should be recognized as a hero.
We are very fortunate Corpus Christi will not be remembered like Pensacola, Florida and Pearl Harbor have been in the last few months. Instead of wondering why we haven't heard the news reporting terrorist attacks, we should be glad there haven't been any terrorist attacks reported.
Be careful what you wish for.
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