Family Mourns Airman's Lost Sacrifice (Khobar Towers)

The Modesto Bee ^ | June 25, 2006 | Roger W. Hoskins - Bee Staff Writer

[Diver Dave]

For parents Richard and Kathy as well as brother Shawn Wood, June 25, 1996, always will be a day of infamy. That's when Airman 1st Class Justin Wood of Modesto was killed. Just a month before his 21st birthday, the Downey High School graduate was one of 19 Americans who died in a terrorist attack on Khobar Towers, a U.S. military housing facility in Saudi Arabia.

As his parents relive the worst night and day of their lives, Kathy's eyes fill with tears. Richard's posture stiffens. Justin's older brother, Shawn, watches his parents.

Justin wasn't supposed to be at Khobar Towers when the attack happened.

"He was on a mission (flight) but the plane had trouble and turned around," said Kathy said. "We heard the news and knew (the blast) was close (to where their son was stationed), but we thought with any luck he was either flying a mission or exercising or in the mess hall."

[Diver Dave]

Khobar Towers - Ten Years ago today

Airman 1st Class Justin Wood was one of 19 Americans killed in a terrorist attack on Khobar Towers, a U.S. military housing facility in Saudi Arabia, on June 25, 1996.

From the article...

In looking for closure, the Woods listened to promises delivered by President Clinton. They were at the White House when Clinton vowed that he wouldn't rest "until those responsible were brought to justice."

Richard Wood almost laughed.

"And then (Clinton) forgot all about it," he said. "The only person who had the families in mind at all was Louis Freeh (then the head of the FBI)."

[NautiNurse]

Hiya DD,

Thanks for posting this important story.

[originalbuckeye]

Clinton will be remembered in the history books as the President who was most destructive to our own country. Clinton was just a caretaker President and, mostly, he only took care of himself. Thanks for posting. Continued prayers for this family and all those families who have loved ones who put themselves between us and evil.

[JRochelle]

"And then (Clinton) forgot all about it," he said."



Not surprising.
After all, Clinton has always loathed the military.

[nuconvert]

"As for the 19 dead warriors and their families, their commander in chief had deserted them, leaving only the FBI to carry on the fight. " (Louis Freeh)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1654696/posts

[NonValueAdded]

Khobar Towers Shame – Ten Years After---The roots of Iranian terror.

[OldFriend]

I remember watching the memorial for the sailors lost on the USS Cole. A father asked slick willie to find the people who did this.

Slick willie mouthed back to the father......I will.

Nothing can diminish my hatred for X42.

A young Ranger from the next town lost his life in Somalia and the President insisted that the Rangers lost their lives because they were too aggressive.

There really are no words.

[silverleaf]

Remembering for similar reasons the families who lost sons in Somalia...and the family who let Clinton KNOW they KNEW.

Read about Clinton's flashback at the mother of the dead soldier...

http://www.sweetness-light.com/archive/what-would-clinton-do

Following the May 23 presentation (posthumour Medal of Honor) at the White House, the families of the two men were invited into the Oval Office for a private visit with Clinton. Inside the office, the father of Sergeant Shughart refused to shake Clinton’s hand, then look him in the face and calmly told him that he was responsible for his son’s death, that it was for no purpose, that he was not fit to be President, and not fit to be Commander in Chief.

Clinton was visibly shocked, amazed, and momentarily speechless. It is revealing that he was surprised that the man should feel that way. Clinton really doesn’t think the way most people do, seeming to lack a sense of personal responsibility. After a brief, awkward silence, Clinton caught his breath. Becoming angry, he turned to the mother of the dead soldier and said, "What’s he jumping on me for? I didn’t kill the kid!"

[OldFriend]

Shugart is a VN vet who lost his leg in that war. He lives nearby. Another son was a Ranger too. I believe his son is now out of the military.