On Saturday, two years to the day after 13 U.S. service members were killed at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul Afghanistan, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) ordered the flag at the United States Capitol to be flown at half-staff in their honor.
The bombings killed 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. servicemen and women, all between the ages of 20 and 31.
The casualties at Abbey Gate included 11 Marines, a soldier and a sailor. Among them are Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, 31; Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25; Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23; Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22; Cpl. Daegan Page, 23; Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, 22; Lance Cpl. David Espinoza, 20; Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, 20; Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, 20; Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola, 20; and Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, 20; and Navy hospital-man Maxton Soviak, 22; and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, 23.
“Two years ago today, we tragically lost 13 brave servicemen and women in Afghanistan,” McCarthy posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “I have directed the flags at the U.S. Capitol to be lowered to half-staff in honor of these American heroes.”
“The passage of time can often provide clarity — that has not been the case in the two years since this tragedy,” Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes wrote. “Our Gold Star families need to be truly heard. We will never forget.”
“Two years ago, a horrific terrorist attack at Abbey Gate killed 13 Americans and approximately 170 Afghan civilians. As we mark this painful milestone, we will never forget these American heroes and their service to our nation,” Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin wrote. “Today, the entire Department of Defense stands in sorrow with them — along with all of the families whose loved ones gave their lives during our 20 years in Afghanistan. We will never forget what they gave to serve this country that we love.”
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