News release from the Fort Wayne Base Community Council:
Benghazi Hero to Speak at Luncheon
(April 5, 2016) – The Fort Wayne Base Community Council (FWBCC), in partnership with Manpower, will be hosting a luncheon featuring a highly sought after speaker Kris “Tanto” Paronto, survivor and hero of the 9/11/2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. Mission in Benghazi, Libya. He will share his first-hand account of the brutal attack on Benghazi and lessons from his experiences in combat and business. According to Tammy Kelly, President of the Board of the FWBCC, “This is a rare opportunity to hear Mr. Paronto’s compelling story of survival and courage. This event is just one example of the Fort Wayne Base Community Council creating opportunities for education and interaction centered on military affairs and grassroots support of Veterans and military families living throughout Northeast Indiana.”
The luncheon will be held in the Grand Hall of Parkview Mirro Event and Conference Center, 10622 Parkview Plaza Drive, Fort Wayne, IN beginning at 11:30 am EST on Tuesday, April 19th, 2016. The public is invited to attend this event and the cost is $30 per person and includes a plated lunch. Discounts of $15 are given for Veterans and current military personnel and spouses, and a $10 discount is given to FWBCC members. A full schedule of events and registration info can be found by going to https://fortwaynebcc.org and clicking on “Events”. Advance registration is required by April 10, 2016.
From 10 am through 11:30 am EST on April 19, the Concourse area of the Mirro Event Center will be set up with military and community resources providing free information and opportunities focused on jobs, education, and physical, mental, and financial health for current and former members of the U.S. Armed forces and their dependents. Admission to the resource area in the Concourse adjacent to the Grand Hall of the Mirro Center is free from 10 am to 11:30 am.
Kris Paronto – “Tanto” as he is affectionately known in security contracting circles – is a former Army Ranger from 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment and a private security contractor who has deployed throughout South America, Central America, the Middle East and North Africa. Until 2013, he also worked with the US Government’s Global Response Staff conducting low profile security in high threat environments throughout the world. Mr. Paronto was part of the team that responded to the terrorist attack on the US Special Mission in Benghazi, Libya, September 11th, 2012, helping to save over 20 lives while fighting off terrorists at the Embassy and the CIA Annex for over 13 hours.
Mr. Paronto’s story is told in the bestselling book “13 HOURS” written by Mitchell Zuckoff and the surviving annex security team members. A movie based on the book opened in theaters earlier this year. “13 HOURS” is the harrowing, personal, true account from the brave men on the ground who fought back during the Battle of Benghazi in Libya. Kris Paronto was one of those selfless men who went beyond the call of duty, performing extraordinary acts of courage and heroism, to avert tragedy on a much larger scale.
About Fort Wayne Base Community Council (FWBCC)
The mission of the Fort Wayne Base Community Council is to “Bring Community and Military Service Together.” The group connects members of the business and civilian community with members of the military community to focus on education, collaboration, communication and programs that will build quality of life in Northeast Indiana. This volunteer-led group was formed in 2011 and its members host and support military-centric and community engagement events and activities throughout the year, including a Race for the Warrior 5K held in May to raise funds for the FWBCC’s 501c3 Military Support Fund. For more information or to join the FWBCC, visit https://fortwaynebcc.org.
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