Went to see 13 Hours with my son and WOW…what an awesome movie! This movie, based on the book ’13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghazi’, tells the story of real life heroes and an important view of the events that occurred on the ground in Benghazi on the night of September 11, 2012. The action and the visuals pull you into the story making you feel like you’re right there next to these brave men, but the movie also does a great job at tugging on your emotions as you experience the sacrifice these men on the made.

I want to focus my commentary on the relationships and the survival of the six men of the CIA-contractor security team, known as the Global Response Staff (GRS), instead of taking aim at the political firestorm that Benghazi has created or the debate over Hollywood versus history.

If I had to sum up this movie in three words…

The words that would come to mind are: courage, honor and duty,

Anyone familiar with the Benghazi story knows that this region of the world was a powder keg waiting to blow, and how no one was prepared for it. Despite these unstable conditions, Ambassador Chris Stevens, believed that there was a hopeful future for Libya and continued to share this mantra to the CIA station chief and GRS forces led by “Rone”. Media around the world captured the horrific aftermath of the coordinated terror attacks on the U.S. Consulate and CIA Annex in Benghazi — 13 Hours tells the story about that night of hell from the perspective of those who survived the brutal attack.

This small band of six brave and courageous men, left to their own devices, defied the CIA station chief and pleas from their families — banded together and rushed in to assist the skeleton crew at the embassy. In the several hours between assaults, the men dig in between fire fights and together examine their family obligations, their duties, and their mission, which even they are not sure has a greater purpose. The film constantly reminded us that these men on the ground are alone. We do learn later that the only help that ever came was a small group of operators from Tripoli led by Glen “Bub” Doherty.

Choosing to put the lives of others ahead of their own, these men; faced overwhelming odds, adapted to their circumstances, risked their lives, were tested beyond their limits, endured much and prevailed in the end. These six men, a very real band of brothers, who fought through a violent Libyan night are not an echo of an age long forgotten, but a living (and dying) personification of real life heroes!

Words cannot describe the courage, the honor and the professionalism displayed by these warriors — the secret soldiers of Benghazi.

Overcoming everything that was thrown at them that night, the inspired actions of men who were left to die and ordered not to intervene, chose to do the right thing and prevailed. Despite the politics surrounding Benghazi, these men are heroes in every sense.

In today’s world view where the very idea of manhood has been emasculated and masculinity is under attack, we need to tell the stories of these brave heros more often.

The film is a masterful tribute to those who fought evil and survived, and to those who fought evil and died. They will always be remembered as the best among us. What we see in 13 Hours is a portrayal of the brave leadership, camaraderie, and sacrifices of the forgotten men on the ground, qualities that were inexplicably absent among their superiors in Washington that night.

Humanity is made up many who love the epic heroic tales and this is one of them in its purest form. While we eagerly anticipate the next release from Marvel or the cinematic adventures of our favorite costumed heroes, it’s important to recognize the ones that don’t wear a cape and perform real-life heroic tasks as part of their “day at the office”.

This movie will get your heart pumping and your adrenaline flowing…but never forget those who heroically fought back against militants in the siege that killed former Navy SEALs Glen Doherty and Tyrone S. Woods, State Department information officer Sean Smith and U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens!

These brave men had the courage to do what was right when everything went wrong! The story-line of Benghazi draws many emotions in people, but I hope people will take away the themes of courage in the face of evil, overcoming obstacles and overcoming adversity. Because what happened that night in Benghazi, in the scope of the relentless battle, and in courageous battle by these six American “secret soldiers,” were indeed awesome things. They were heroic things.

My take away? Live your life courageously, honorable and ethically — and never be afraid to stand up for and do whats right (duty), especially in the face of evil!

I’ve seen the movie once, and can’t wait to see it again.