Sheldon, Iowa — About 650 Republicans from 6 northwest Iowa counties were in Sheldon Saturday night to attend one of the largest Republican gatherings in the state of Iowa.
Several political heavyweights were on hand for the event, and spoke to the crowd, including Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, United States Senator Chuck Grassley, along with Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, and South Dakota Senator John Thune.
The keynote speaker was a former Army Ranger who was a government contractor in Benghazi on September 11, 2012, the night the American Embassy was attacked by insurgents. Kris “Tanto” Paronto spoke to the crowd about what really happened during that “13 Hours in Benghazi”.
Following the rally, Paronto signed copies of the book, “13 Hours, The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi.” That book has since been turned into a movie.
KIWA talked to Paronto following his book signing, and we asked him how he felt about the government’s story that the raid was caused by anger over a youtube video.
He says the government’s version of what went on that night in Benghazi was a way to control the narrative to keep the American people in the dark.
Paronto says he felt betrayed by his own country.
Now, Paronto, who lives in Nebraska, travels around the United States speaking to gatherings such as Saturday night’s Republican rally, and telling them the REAL story of what happened in Benghazi, through the eyes of someone who was on the ground there that night.
Saturday night’s rally was sponsored by the Republican parties of O’Brien, Osceola, Lyon, Sioux, Plymouth, and Cherokee counties. It was held at the Lifelong Learning and Rec Center on the campus of Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon.
Some photos from the event are included below.
