Today, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) sent a letter to President Joe Biden renewing his call for a National Day of Remembrance for the terrorist attack on Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola in 2019 – an attack perpetrated by a Saudi military exchange student.
On December 6th, 2019, a Saudi terrorist shot and killed three U.S. Navy sailors and wounded many others at NAS Pensacola in Florida’s First Congressional District. The terrorist was participating in a Pentagon-sponsored training program, which granted him access to the base. Rep. Gaetz’s letter highlights the need for a National Day of Remembrance, requesting President Biden to order flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide on December 6th to honor the victims, and surviving family members of the services members killed in the 2019 terrorist attack on NAS Pensacola.
Full text of Congressman Gaetz’s letter to President Biden can be found HERE. Additionally, exclusive coverage of the letter by WEAR Pensacola can be found HERE.
LETTER TEXT
Dear President Biden,
I write to renew my request for a National Day of Remembrance on behalf of the victims and survivors of the terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) on December 6th, 2019.
In a letter dated May 11th, 2022, cosigned by my colleague Representative Neal Dunn, I requested that you utilize your authority as President to order all federal buildings to lower the U.S. Flag and subsequent flags (POW/MIA or military organizational flags) to half-staff. This would provide recognition and support to the victims of an Al Qaeda-inspired attack that took the lives of Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters, and Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham and wounded many others at NASP.
As we approach the anniversary of the terrorist attack, my constituents, the military community, and everyone impacted by acts of terrorism perpetrated on U.S. soil and abroad would greatly appreciate a National Day of Remembrance.
Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Matt Gaetz
Member of Congress
