On Thursday, August 26, 2021, 13 American service members were killed in a suicide bombing outside of the Kabul airport. We honor the lives of each of these individuals, who selflessly answered the call to serve our nation, spending their last breaths serving others and their country. Their tremendous bravery and sacrifice will not be forgotten.
These brave men and women were quite young; some were only twenty years old. Many of them were close in age to most of us. While we were going to class, hanging out with friends, and living normal college lives, these brave young men and women chose to pursue something greater than themselves, putting the lives of others before their own. Their courage makes it possible for us to live our lives peacefully in the greatest, freest nation in the world.
Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23: Gee served in the Marines and loved doing so. Just six days before her death, she was shown on Instagram holding an Afghan child, saying “I love my job.” She leaves behind her husband, who is also a Marine.
LCpl. Rylee McCollum, 20: McCollum served as a Marine and was on his first deployment. He leaves behind his mother, father, four siblings, wife, and his first child, due in three weeks.
Navy Corpsman Maxton Soviak, 22: Soviak served as a Navy hospital corpsman. He leaves behind his mother, father, and his 12 brothers and sisters.
LCpl. Jared Schmitz, 20: Schmitz served as a Marine and was on his first deployment. He leaves behind his mother, father, and sister.
Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22: Lopez served as a Marine and leaves behind his mother and father. After his deployment, he had planned to become a sheriff’s deputy, following in his parent’s footsteps.
Cpl. Dylan Merola, 20: Merola served in the Marines and arrived in Kabul just two weeks ago. He leaves behind his mother, sibling, and grandfather. After service, he had planned on attending college to pursue engineering.
LCpl. David Lee Espinoza, 20: Espinoza served in the Marines, leaving behind his brother, mother, and stepfather.
Cpl. Daegan Page, 23: Page served as a Marine since graduating from high school and leaves behind his mother, father, step-parents, grandparents, and four siblings.
SSgt. Darin Taylor Hoover Jr., 31: Hoover served as a Marine and leaves behind his mother, father, siblings, and fiance.
Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, 22: Sanchez served in the Marines from the time he graduated high school just four years ago.
SSgt. Ryan Knauss, 23: Knauss served in the Army and leaves behind his wife.
Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25: Pichardo served in the Marines from the age of 18 and leaves behind her mother and sister.
LCpl. Kareem Nikoui, 20: Nikoui served in the Marines and leaves behind his mother, father, and siblings.