The much talked about Benghazi attack is being brought to the theaters today (January 15th). Directed by Michael Bay, the movie called “13 Hours” will tell the true story of the events of September 11, 2012, when terrorists attacked the US State Department Special Mission Compound and a nearby CIA station called the Annex in Benghazi, Libya. A team of six American security operators fought to repel the attackers and protect the Americans stationed there. Those men went above and beyond the call of duty, performing acts of courage and heroism, to avert tragedy on a much larger scale. This is their personal account, never before told, of what happened during the thirteen hours of that now-infamous attack. Interestingly enough, two of the “secret soldiers” portrayed in this movie are from Colorado.

One of the three men who were recently interviewed on Fox News is Kris “Tanto” Paronto. Mr. Paronto was born in Alamosa, Colorado and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado. Paronto was very much moved by the movie stating in a recent interview with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly,”It was a part of me that I relived on the screen, and I realized how much I’d been missing…It’s amazing being with your brothers and fighting … being there and being with them and having the faith that you’re going to defeat all the obstacles.” In the movie, Paronto is played by Pablo Schreiber.

Another man who was a part of saving more than 20 lives during the Benghazi attack is Mark “Oz” Geist, who also happens to be a Colorado native. Geist is being played by Max Martini in the movie. After serving 12 years in the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Geist became a Deputy Sheriff in Teller County, Colorado. He even went on to work in the Vice Narcotics Unit in our very own Colorado Springs. Geist is also co-author of the bestselling book “13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi.”  He has an amazing story, nearly losing his arm during the attack, yet still going to get help for the people still in the Embassy.

Although these men were told to stand down during the attacks, they took it upon themselves to help defend the people in the US Embassy in Benghazi. This unbelievable story, which began as a book written by Mitchell Zuckoff, is meant to reveal the truth behind what actually happened on September, 11, 2012. The sacrifice of these men is what kept many people alive in the Embassy. Knowing that two of the six men involved are from our own state is reason enough to be proud, and to make sure to see the movie this weekend.