Brother of 'Fallen 13' Marine Loses Battle With Grief Just Ahead of One Year Anniversary of Disastrous Afghanistan Evacuation

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

As Townhall’s Julio Rosas previously reported, the brother of one of the thirteen US Military members killed by a suicide bomber in the catastrophic military exit from Afghanistan one year ago, lost his battle with grief earlier this week. In the days ahead of the anniversary of the attack, Dakota Halverson, 28, ended his life in Norco, CA, near a public memorial to his fallen brother, Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, 20, and the dozen other military members KIA near the airport in Kabul on August 26, 2021.

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Afghanistan
AP Photo/Wali Sabawoon

The brothers’ mother, Shana Chappell, posted last Tuesday, “This morning my son Dakota went to be with His brother Kareem.” Chappell also reported that she “didn’t see the signs,” posting hashtags about suicide awareness and prevention.

In a later post, Chappell said she didn’t want to make it political but blamed the loss of her son Dakota on the “ripple effect” of the disastrous military withdrawal.

Chappell has been critical of President Joe Biden in the past, saying her son’s military death “was due to Biden’s negligence, ignorance and him being a traitor.” Chappell faced social media censorship when her Instagram profile was deactivated and her Facebook account was reportedly “incorrectly deleted” after she wrote scathing criticisms, saying her “son’s blood was on Biden’s hands,” in the wake of the fatal attack at Kabul airport last year.

The Gold Star Mom’s social media posts went viral last year when she berated the President for his behaviors during her son, Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui’s memorial services, saying that he spoke about his deceased son, “Beau” Biden more than her fallen Marine and that Biden rolled his eyes in annoyance when addressed by Chappell.

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Chappell has raised $41,000 in donations on GoFundMe for funeral services for her son Dakota to be laid to rest next to his younger brother, writing:

Dakota Halverson was a loving son, brother and friend. Losing his brother nearly one year ago has proven too difficult to bear. Any donations for his burial and services would be greatly appreciated as he wanted to be buried next to his brother Kareem, who was killed August 26th, 2021, while serving his country. His family and I want to honor his wishes.

The other 12 fallen in the Kabul airport attack include 10 Marines, 1 Navy, and 1 Army Service member:

  • Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, from Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, 25, from Lawrence, Massachusetts
  • Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, from Sacramento, California
  • Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, from Indio, California
  • Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, from Omaha, Nebraska
  • Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, from Logansport, Indiana
  • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, from Rio Bravo, Texas
  • Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, from St. Charles, Missouri
  • Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, from Jackson, Wyoming
  • Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, from Rancho Cucamonga, California
  • Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, from Berlin Heights, Ohio,
  • Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, from Corryton, Tennessee
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