On November 14, 2004,  embedded photographer Lucian Read captured one of the most iconic photos of the Iraq War during the Battle of Fallujah. First Sergeant Brad Kasal of Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, had taken seven 7.62×39 bullets and more than 40 pieces of shrapnel from grenades leading a rescue of Marines pinned down in a firefight that later became known as “Hell House.” Kasal was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism.

The photo of Marine lance corporals Chris Marquez and Dane Shaffer carrying the wounded but indomitable Kasal from the fight was a graphic reminder that Marines take care of one another and don’t give up.

The photo became the basis for “No Man Left Behind,” bronze sculpture by Wyoming artist John Phelps, placed at the Warrior West site at Camp Pendleton. A similar statue is now at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

Everything about the photo and the statues it inspired show the best traits of Americans… and so it was incredibly disgusting that one of these three Marines was just knocked unconscious and robbed in a race-based attack by a mob of Black Lives Matter thugs just blocks from the White House.

A Marine vet who served in Iraq and Afghanistan became the target of an assault while eating at a McDonald’s Friday night in northwest DC. Metro PD is now investigating the incident and looking for five suspects between the ages of 16 and 21.

According to the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF), the group of teens started harassing Christopher Marquez while he was eating — surrounding his table and asking him: ‘Do you believe black lives matter.’ They also started calling him a racist.

“I believe this was a hate crime and I was targeted because of my skin color,” Marquez told The DCNF. “Too many of these types of attacks have been happening against white people by members of the black community and the majority of the main stream media refuses to report on it.”

Marquez says things got a little fuzzy following the verbal attack inside the restaurant because he suffered a trauma to his head –which apparently affected his memory of the events that night.

However, the manager at the fast food chain reviewed surveillance video and informed Marquez that after he walked out of the restaurant, one of the teens struck him on the side of the head knocking him unconscious. The others robbed him, taking off with his wallet, which contained $400 in cash, all his ID’s and three credit cards.

This is just another violent crime from the feral criminals plaguing the District of Columbia which demonstrates a clear need for “shall issue” concealed carry.

Marquez served eight years as a Marine, earning a Bronze Star for another firefight in Fallujah where he tried to save yet another Marine. He survived all that, serving on behalf of Americans of every color, only to be attacked by a cowardly gang of Black Lives Matter thugs just blocks from Barack Obama’s White House.

This is what happens when you coddle those who riot and loot and terrorize based on lies, Mr. President. This is what happens when you send Administration officials to the funeral of violent criminals, but ignore the sacrifices of those brave souls that put their lives on the line to serve in law enforcement and the military.

This is the sort of thuggish behavior you encouraged with your pandering, Barack Obama.

I hope you’re happy with your return on investment in hatred and division.