‘I Just Fell to My Knees’: Navy SEAL Widow Says Her Husband Died the Only Way He Would Have Wanted
- Posted on August 8, 2011 at 6:22am by
Scott Baker
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CNN:
Navy SEAL Aaron Vaughn “wouldn’t want to leave this Earth any other way than how he did,” his wife told CNN, a day after she learned her husband was one of 30 U.S. service members killed in a helicopter crash Saturday in Afghanistan.
“He loved his job,” Kimberly Vaughn said. “There was no way — even if you could tell him that this would have happened he would have done it anyway. All those men are like that. They’re selfless.”
Kimberly Vaughn saw TV reports about the downed helicopter Saturday morning, but the tragedy reached her home when her doorbell rang.
“I thought, ‘Oh, hopefully it’s just a neighbor,’ and as I rounded the stairs I saw the men in uniform and I just fell to my knees,” she said. “There’s no preparing for it. It’s something you see in the movies. It‘s not something you’re supposed to live through.”
Her father was standing with her to hold her up as the Navy officers told her that her husband was killed in action.
“I fell to my knees and cried and didn’t want to hear it, but it’s the truth,” Vaughn said. “You want it to be a mistake. You want them to say it’s the wrong person, but I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.”
Aaron and Kimberly, married for three years, also have a 2-month-old daughter, Chamberlyn. He was stationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia,
“I want to tell the world that he was an amazing man, that he was a wonderful husband, and a fabulous father to two wonderful children,” she said.
“He was a warrior for Christ and he was a warrior for our country and he wouldn’t want to leave this Earth any other way than how he did.”
To hear Aaron’s grandmother describe her last conversation with him click here.
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Comments (117)
I_CARRY_1_TOO
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 10:16amMay God bless You and keep you Kimberly and your entire family. My heart actually weeps for you – as you mentioned he loved Christ and I know there will come a day when you all will be together again.
Report Post »Jenna_Lee_is_BEAutiful
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 12:16pmSomeone else please notice this.. In the text, the wife states that her husband was a warrior for CHRIST and a warrior for his country. In the CNN video they edit out the part where she says that her husband was a warrior for Christ… Why does that HAVE to be edited out?
Report Post »Ken
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 2:29pmJenna, they did that because they are one of many liberal left outlets of the “lame-stream media!” And they are God haters and rejectors, which is why you should always check with “fair and balanced media” such as this one, to see what was “actually” said!
Report Post »ampatriot
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 2:41pmi watched the cnn interview of the grandmother, she said God and the cnn interviewer said God as well, i dont remember the name of the interviewer.(i bet he got his butt chewed )
Report Post »jenna i would have never known it was edited had you not mentioned it.i dont usually listen to cnn and this is why…thank you..
dorightfearnothing
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 3:25pmAmen.
Report Post »Disnylv
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 3:51pmour prayers are with the family and friends all our Navy seals. Thank you for everything!
Report Post »netman349
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 6:25pmIt is so telling when the media edit out the “warrior for Christ” Quotation. It should be required for all journalists to use complete quotes when reporting what was said. No matter how “boring”. Journalists are so f_king lazy!
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 12:10pmIt breaks my heart to look at that picture and hear the words of this courageous women my heart breaks for her.
Report Post »There are no words.
Heroes365
Posted on August 10, 2011 at 10:09pmU.S. Olympics say, “Armed Forces Can’t Wear USA Logo on Camo Uniforms”
Please join Americans in telling CEO Paul Seiler at Team USA Baseball to Support our Troops and Heroes of the Diamond baseball team of military all-stars. They earn the right to wear a USA Logo every second of the day.
Report Post »loveliberty83
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 9:57amAny president that would put guns in the hands of killers (mexico) is not to be trusted -maybe someone wanted to make sure the Seals never talked the Rangers are an elete team this whole thing needs to be investgated we have alot of enemies in our government. I feel some @ the pentagon
Report Post »aurora53
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 6:55pmFrom what I read, there are 84 muslims in our government. Why????
Report Post »loveoursoldiers
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 9:36amThis is so sad especially in view the unappreciative folks who never served and yet have reaped the rewards of the bravest of the brave.
Report Post »NotmyJesus
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 9:31amBrothers and sisters, should a grown man with children be playing soldier? Yes I served my country. Yes I recognize the fantastic patriotism of this fine man, but his first and most important responsibility is his family. Now I would think differently if he was truly needed to serve. If we need the masses to protect our great country, I would see this differently. I would see this differently if he were serving out of harms way. Of source his children will be able to say daddy was a war hero.
Report Post »muhamadhater
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 10:07am@NOTMY….He WAS with family when he died..If u was a vet that saw action u would know that he was with his brothers!! May God bless the families and take all those on the helicopter into his arms and let them know they were loved, honored, and respected!! and thank u for your service NOTMY and bless u!!!
Report Post »Mustangdave
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 10:44amNOTMYJESUS….you need to get a clue…these men are what GOD needs now…their families all know the risk and the sacrifice involved.
Report Post »BlazingInSC
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 4:03pm@NOTMY – If you served, then you should be able to appreciate the fact that the wife and children were not issued with the seabag. I agree that when men and women bring children into this world, they have an added responsibility – but for you to suggest that any of these fallen soldiers were somehow shirking their family duties — that’s just disgusting. They were doing their job (that extends beyond upselling the fries in the meal deal) which was providing for their families. The loss is tragic for all involved, but they all knew the risks – and accepted them for the hopes that their deaths would never be in vain and instead – would secure the future FOR their families. I highly doubt that you really served, else, you would have more compassion and understanding of what true sacrifice means.
Report Post »proantisocialist
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 9:24amGod is building an army in heaven to defeat the evil we call liberals on earth.
Please know that god stands with you in your time of loss and so do i…
Report Post »NotmyJesus
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 9:38amBrother or sister, NOT MY JESUS! God created all humans, right? He created us souls to think on our own, RIGHT. You are saying God made a mistake when he created Liberals? Non sense. My God knows exactly what he is doing. He loves us all. He wants us all to think own our on. Are you insane brother? Drop to your knees and pray.
Report Post »PDfromToledo
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 10:40amyour statement is just ridiculous
Report Post »Sleazy Hippo
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 2:23pmShame on those thoughts, my scared brother!
You appear to be living in fear to say that!
Stand with Governor Palin. Heal. Come Together. Lose the Fear. We Are One Nation, Under God.
Report Post »holy ghostbuster
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:30amWhy would an omnipotent god (that means all-powerful) need to build an army in the first place? I thought heaven was supposed to be a peaceful place?
Report Post »bill oswald
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 9:20amMuch has to be investigated concerning this disaster. Knowing the military there will be a cover up.
Report Post »First question is why would you use a helicopter which is so slow and a large tarket. Second is why the militery put so many people on one helicopter. I support the military 100%, but something smells here.
Salamander
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 9:32amIf you’re so knowledgeable, why don’t you volunteer? I’d hate to be living in that part of Afghanistan, becasuse I‘m sure we won’t be pulling a ‘Bill Clinton’ in response to this tragic event! There is nothing more focused than a pissed-off SEAL!
Report Post »PanzerOfDoom
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 8:56am“Fair winds and following seas”, my brothers. May God be with your families in this trying time and may he ease the anguish of your loss.
Report Post »uberchrist33
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 8:52am@Marriedtoaliberal: Very well put. I also wonder, as to what I have done that God would continue to grant me the privilege of living in a country that is so great in its philosophy that good men would die to preserve it, but I guess I just answered my own question. God bless all of our troops and this great American. My heart goes out to his family.
Report Post »Tayalynn
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 8:48amI am having a hard time believing this incredible victory for the Taliban was “dumb luck”. Which rotten SOB in our government tipped off the Taliban that Seal Team “6” – an extremely valuable target was on that particular chopper at that particular time? I put nothing past a liberal military unfriendly administration that is purposely trying to destroy our country. Something isn’t sitting right here. In the mean time -may God’s peace be with the families of the fallen. It is a terrible tragedy for our country.
Report Post »RN MOM
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 8:35amOnly the good die young. God bless him, the rest of the seals… and especially all the children and wives left behind.
Report Post »BelindaB
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 8:33amGod Bless these Seals, and from the American People…..Thank you for your service, and commitment, and courage, for All of us !!!!! Yes, God will help the families heal, and live.
obama….go to hell
Report Post »BelindaB
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 8:29amI think obama is RESPONSIBLE for this. I think He SENT these seals into harms way, but FIRST notified the taliban…
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 9:04amConspiracy theorists are already saying that Osama died years ago and that SEAL team 6 was used in a mock attack to bring closure and up Obama’s approval rating.
Now they are stating that Obama’s regime created a fake mission, assigned DEVGRU…and then provided the time/place and weapons to the Taliban in order to silence SEAL team 6 and allow the Taliban their “revenge” and save face.
Sounds crazy…but in all honesty, I would not and could not put anything past this socialist dirtbag and his regime.
In the end…America’s best have died…and are now fighting for a higher power.
Report Post »the wireworker
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 12:51pmfirst off, i want to say thanks to all of our service men & women, you are the true heroes and should be making what our congress makes. you are in my prayers nightly!
second.
my first thought when they supposedly got bin laden, the accounts of the incident from the prez himself when he addressed the nation did not match to what he said in the same speech (his timeline did not match up). the details that came out afterwords were widely varied and contradicting. also WHY DID THEY DISPOSE OF THE BODY SO SOON?
this was the lefts arguement, “why is it taking so long to capture bin laden” and then when we do catch him they get rid of the body (evidence) so soon and treat him as he was a king by giving him a “proper muslim burial” [every muslim burial i have witnessed while watching military footage has been in the desert,in the sand you know the ones where they get blamed for killing innocents at a funeral]
so something doesn’t add up. i do not doubt the honor and integrity of our seal teams, these men are heroes. they do the hard jobs and what they are told. i do doubt the honor and integrity of our so called prez, he did this for a political bump that lasted for all of about 2 seconds. it would not surprise me if this is a government coverup by none other than this administration just so no one would come out and talk later.
2012 cannot come soon enough……….
Report Post »Sleazy Hippo
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 2:20pmYou are voicing a sad, paranoid and hate filled message. Hopefully the truth will out you.
S5tand with Governor Palin and all the loyal American patriots who “REFUDIATE” theoretical statements like this, that only incite lunatics.
Heal. Come Together. Lose the Fear. We Are One Nation, Under God.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 8:02am@CESNA152 ~~~ You know it!
Report Post »Thighmaster
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 7:59amNow let’s see how our government repays the survivors of these fallen heroes…
Report Post »mac410
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 8:29amOh, I’m sure quite well. After all look what was done for the families of the people killed in the 9/11 attacks. I’m quite sure our fearless leader will treat our genuine heroes as well or better than the office workers.
Report Post »cowdude
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 7:48amMore heros will follow. The tip of the spear was broken.
Cowdude
Report Post »http://conservativewatercooler.com
hifi74
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 7:35amI just got word this morning that my cousin is with the Rangers unit the Seal team was assisting on this mission. Ive had friends that were Seals and my current job affords me the opportunity to meet some of the BudS indocs. So on behalf of my cousin and his units sake and for giving all to protect them, Hooyah Seals. You have a nations gratitude for your service and Gods hand for your sacrifice. Rest easy Seals, it’s other mens turn to take the load for now.
Report Post »hawkwatcher65
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 7:23amWords can’t describe the Love and thankfullness I have for these Men. I can only pray our Lord can give me a small portion of the courage they have.
Report Post »TheTruthPlease
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 7:31amThis was a rough weekend for our men in uniform. SEALS, Marines, all hero’s — all going home! God Speed, at ease warriors we have your back!
Report Post »Pro Deo et Patria!
curmudgeon60
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 7:22am“He was a warrior for Christ”! That says it all. Thank God for decent brave men that protect this beautiful country.
Report Post »Jus-sayin
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 9:03amit seems CNN edited out the “Warrior for Christ” comment. Hmmmmm. too bad. May God bless their families and rest their souls.
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 7:08amGod will protect and hold up these families I have NO doubt. My heart goes out to them in this time.
remember when you see someone in the military or thier family THANK them, they are giving ALL for US
Report Post »BetheLight
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 7:58amDitto -may God bless and keep them and their loved ones
Report Post »Kasie
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 12:47pmYes God Bless all of our troops. My family and I grow up with Aaron and his family is the same age as my brother and we knew that he was going to be a seal. My brother said he would talk about it all the time and look now he is serving God and our country. Praying for his family and the days to come…We will all see him again as Christians one day. Hebrews 13:3 John 8:32 John 14:6 God Bless <
Report Post »OB-1
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 7:01amMolon labe
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 6:47amHers is a wonderful tribute not only for her own husband, but apparently also for the other SEALS who died with him. GOD BLESS, please, these families, LORD. Give them strength to carry on in this loss. If only our congressmen and women were of such character. I won’t even go into the lack of character of this administration.
LORD, we ask YOUR healing presence, YOUR strength, YOUR courage for the ones left behind. Thank YOU for mightily blessing the families of these men. Hold them tight, ALMIGHTY GOD. Fill the gaping holes in their lives with YOUR MIGHTY PRESENCE and LIGHT.
In JESUS’ PRECIOUS NAME, amen.
Report Post »muhamadhater
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 10:17amAmen and AMEN..nice prayer well put!!
Report Post »pscully17
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 6:40amGod Bless those who are fighting wars abroad!! I am hoping that the fighting there is stopped soon. We are a broken country. The political players in washingtion NO LONGER CARE ABOUT AMERICA and our status as a Country. The Lib Movement has gone Global.. Their concern is NOt America: The super power and our exceptionalism… Obamas admin is now America: just another country we are trying to bring down to Nigerieas standard of living. yesterday on Abc News… Cokie Roberst Blames the Constitution and our Political system!! here it comes… the messaging is Clear.. Our Military is NO LONGER FIGHTING for America, Land of the free, the greatest country on earth. STOP the Insanity!! The Military isa NO longer fighting for the rights to free speech… John Kerry, Biden, Axelrod, pelosi, Schumer, et al in the Liberal environment… Kill free speech, it doesnt agree with our agenda and if you dont agree with oiur agenda to collapse America.. we will eventually kill you Asaad style.
Report Post »Zay Gezunt
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 6:39amWhen you volunteer to be in the killing business, you have to assume the consequences.
Report Post »Remember, WE trained and loved the Taliban when they used to be called the mujahadim.
cessna152
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 6:45amI think they were set up. Seriously, think about it.
Report Post »raybojabo
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 7:59am@CESSNA152
Report Post »Your not the only one
http://barnhardt.biz/
EyeofthePatriot
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 8:41am@CESSNA
I am telling you what, there have been at least 5 or 6 people I have heard over the weekend that believes this EXACT SAME THING. Most of which haven’t really “woken up” if you will.
Its pretty scary when the general concensus is that there is more to this story and somehow or another a leak from pretty damn high up would have had to make its way to the Taliban.
Think about this though – wouldn’t it actually HELP the Taliban in terrorizing this nation if they actually came out and said they received information from a United States source?
Report Post »jimmythebullet
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 9:46am@cessna152-
Report Post »something doesn‘t pass the smell test and that’s for sure.i already had suspicions,but when they said members of seal team six were on the chinook,a big slow fairly easy target,my b.s. alarm really went off.
to the best of my knowledge,seal teams are tier one operaters-small #s,behind enemy lines,black ops,highly specialized weapons,tactics and missions.the kind of missions that demand stealth and precision.-simply put,in,out and long gone before anyone has a clue they were there.seal team six was a tier above all that.
i have too many questions to even try to express them in this forum.i will ask one,though.why were there ANY tier one operaters on that chopper,supposedly,sent to reinforce army rangers engaged in a routine night raid on an insurgent safe house?rangers aren’t a boy scout troop.they’re a specialized force on their own.i can‘t even imagine that army rangers couldn’t handle a house full of insurgents,no matter how many were in there.
the internet is running wild with theories.i have two-one is plausible and has heavy political overtones.the other is dark and unthinkable.
food for thought-there were no “helmet cams” in the OBL raid.the “situation room” was watching a drone feed.still,no pictures of a dead bin laden.an eye witness on the ground,bin laden’s neighbor,saw the chopper crash and said nobody survived.
so,did they die in the chopper crash in the OBL raid or,as cessna opined,set up,possibly,for what they“knew”?
Lord please
Xpat48
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 6:38amMay God bless your family and our Men & Women in uniform.
We salute you!
Report Post »Married to a Liberal HELP
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 6:34amWhat a heartbreaking story. Navy SEAL Aaron Vaughn is a true American hero. His wife, Kimberly Vaughn is obviously made out of the same moral backbone and is carrying on as a hero too. So sad he must leave his beautiful family but I can tell Kimberly Vaughn will make sure they do well. So devastating an event for America. So many of our own killed. Makes me question what I did to deserve that such stellar people would defend me and my way of life.
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on August 8, 2011 at 7:55am@MARRIED TO A LIBERAL HELP: Yes, God bless his souls and all their souls, and bless their families in this their darkest hour of grief.
I like your posts MTALH. Glad you are here with us on Blaze in spite of some of the awful comments some racist people post here. We all wish they wouldn’t.
I pray also for the brave young men who will be inspired to join our military and strive to become the next generation of remarkable Navy Seals. Bless them all.
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