What really happened the night U.S. Navy SEALs raided Osama bin Laden’s compound? In this extraordinary Veterans Day conversation, Michael Smerconish sits down LIVE with Robert J. O’Neill, the former SEAL Team Six operator who says he fired the shots that killed Osama bin Laden during the historic 2011 raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan. O’Neill delivers a gripping firsthand account of one of the most consequential military operations in American history. From the tense helicopter flight into Pakistan to the terrifying moments inside bin Laden’s compound, O’Neill describes what he saw, what he felt, and why he believed the mission would cost him his life.
He also reveals: • Why the SEALs believed they were embarking on a one-way mission. • The emotional conversations about their families before the raid. • What happened when a helicopter crashed inside the compound. • The final moments of the operation, including his account of confronting bin Laden. • The extraordinary intelligence operation that located the world’s most wanted terrorist. • His personal conversations with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden following the mission. • The sacrifices of American service members and the lasting impact of September 11, 2001. Recorded live at PARX Casino in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on Veterans Day, this conversation goes far beyond the headlines to explore courage, sacrifice, brotherhood, and the human cost of war. Watch Michael Smerconish’s complete conversation with Robert J. O’Neill.
Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
