You really have to see Mary Katherine Ham offer a defense of Carryn Owens’ appearance in memory of her husband, Navy SEAL William “Ryan” Owens’ who died in the controversial Yemen raid in February.
It’s nearly as emotional and stirring as Owens’ moment itself.
Watch below:
For those who don’t know, she is a widow after her husband Jake died in a freak bike accident, so it’s even more moving to hear her come to the defense of a military widow.
She had tweeted about it last night:
For those lamenting Carryn Owens' "exploitation," let me offer some thoughts. I'm not asking you to like Trump or credit him for that moment
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017
But what you can & should do is credit her. Maybe a SEAL wife who’s been through, God willing, worst life will give her, can handle Trump.
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017
Maybe a SEAL wife knows exactly what she’s doing & doesn’t need you to explain it to her. Maybe she needs things you don’t know much about.
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017
Maybe a widow raising 3 children knows how important it is to keep his name & memory alive, & that this moment is bigger than Trump or you.
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017
Maybe she knows one day she will show them this video & tell them the President of the United States & all the nation honored him.
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017
Maybe she thinks it might teach her children the strength & courage of their dad (& mom!) to watch her stand up tall even when it hurts.
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017
Maybe all that is more important than your angst about which president is involved & how. Just bc she’s crying doesn’t mean she’s a victim.
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017
Maybe, probably, very likely, she’s a badass. You and your kids are in my prayers, Carryn. Do what you gotta do. Proverbs 31:25
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017
Now, what she’s talking about is a cascade of tweets from people who were mocking Carryn by pointing out that Trump was likely using her in order to ward off criticism about the Yemen raid. He’s been saying it was successful and others have questioned this, including Owens’ father who is demanding an investigation into the matter.
But Ham is absolutely correct – that doesn’t undermine how incredible that moment was when the president led a Congress, leading a country, in grateful applause and appreciation of one family’s grief over their incredible sacrifice for the sake of us all.
Full video of Trump paying tribute to Ryan and Carryn Owens. pic.twitter.com/vpjlM94SV4 #JointAddress
— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) March 1, 2017