As Americans reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by service members throughout the many wars in the nation’s history, it’s important to be reminded of the recent Kabul airport bombing during the August 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.
While the political conversation has moved on, these families likely have not. People are entitled to their own thoughts about how the withdrawal was executed, but the nation continues to mourn the loss of these young Americans regardless.
Here’s who they are, as noted in the Washington Post:
- Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tenn.
- Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, 22, Logansport, Ind.
- Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, Calif.
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, 20, Jackson, Wyo.
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
- Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan William-Tyeler Page, 23, of Omaha
- Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario, 25, Lawrence, Mass.
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, 20, of Wentzville, Mo.
- Navy Hospital Corpsman Max Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Tex.
- Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23, of Roseville, Calif.
- Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, 31, of Utah
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, 20, of Norco, Calif.
These soldiers had the rest of their lives ahead of them but bravely gave their last breath while serving on behalf of the United States abroad.
The situation should be an important reminder to Generation Z-ers like myself that giving up one’s life for their country is not some far and away ancient concept that no longer applies to them. I’m sure these soldiers had family and friends who were worried sick about their deployment, especially when the withdrawal was underway.
They came from different parts of the country and a wide variety of backgrounds, but they united under the premise of keeping the U.S. and civilians abroad safe in the face of terror. In an era of extreme division on the basis of identity, they all knew what it meant to be an American, whether they realized it or not.
I never knew these soldiers, and I don’t know their families, either, except, as an American, it’s not difficult to feel a collective sense of empathy for them. This tragedy was less than one year ago, and it must not be forgotten due to the fast-paced nature of our culture.