Three friends deserve praise in foiling attack

This is heroism — done with a combination of courage, determination and gut instinct. And it’s a good example for all Americans to study in this age of terror.

Three vacationing Americans aboard a fast train hurtling through Belgium on its way to Paris foiled a heavily armed man, preventing a potential terrorist attack on Aug. 21.

The gunman, 26-year-old Moroccan Ayoub El-Khazzani, had an assault rifle, an automatic pistol, numerous loaded magazines and a box cutter.

U.S. Airman Spencer Stone said the gunman seemed like he was “ready to fight to the end.” But, he added, “So were we.”

Stone, 23, said he was coming out of a deep sleep when the armed man appeared. He said his friend, National Guardsman and Afghanistan veteran Alek Skarlatos, 22, “just hit me on the shoulder and said ‘Let’s go.’”

The two tackled El-Khazzani and took his gun. The third friend, Anthony Sadler, 23, a Sacramento State University senior, jumped in to help subdue the gunman.

Stone is also credited with saving the life of a French-American teacher who was wounded in the attack.

On Monday, French President Francois Hollande awarded the prestigious Legion of Honor to the three and a British man who helped tie him up.

The grim reality: The threat of ideological terrorism is as strong as ever and the threat by “lone wolves” is real.

These brave Americans (like those on the plane on 9/11) realized they were the only thing standing between a terrorist and carnage. They did the right thing. Like heroes do.

— Albuquerque Journal