Tue Sep 10 16:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Congress Honors Fallen US Service Members Killed in Kabul Airport Bombing

On Tuesday, the US Congress bestowed its highest honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, upon the 13 American service members killed in a terrorist bombing at Kabul’s airport during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The solemn ceremony, held in the Capitol Rotunda, saw families of the fallen receive the medals, their grief palpable as they mourned their loved ones.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, in a poignant address, acknowledged the families’ pain, stating “The United States government should have done everything to protect our troops.” He stressed that the fallen deserved the utmost efforts from the government and the families deserve transparency and appreciation.

The ceremony was attended by top congressional leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, all of whom expressed deep sorrow and respect for the sacrifices made by the fallen service members.

The 13 service members who lost their lives were: Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak, and Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss.

The ceremony occurred just days after the release of a scathing House report on the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, which heavily criticized President Biden’s handling of the operation. The report concluded that the administration prioritized optics over strategic planning and disregarded warnings from military leaders and allies.

While honoring the fallen, the ceremony also served as a reminder of the ongoing need to remember the sacrifices made by American service members and to ensure those sacrifices were not in vain. Congressional leaders emphasized the importance of supporting the families of the fallen and upholding the values of freedom and democracy that they fought for.

The somber event took place just one day before the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a reminder of the enduring threat of terrorism and the sacrifices made by Americans in the fight for security and liberty.

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