Families of the service members who lost their lives in the 2021 Kabul Airport tragedy in Afghanistan convened at a Congressional event in California.
At this forum, many expressed their grief and sought clarity from President Biden and his team regarding the circumstances surrounding their family members’ deaths. The prevailing sentiment was one of pain, frustration, and anger.
Darin Hoover, father of Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, 31, from Salt Lake City, Utah, remarked on the nature of the event, stating it could have been prevented. He criticized top military officials, including Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, General Mark A. Milley, and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. “Acknowledging satisfaction with how the troops were withdrawn is deeply concerning,” said Hoover. He urged these leaders to take responsibility, learn from their errors, and step down from their positions.
Many others echoed similar sentiments, challenging the lack of responsibility taken by the Biden administration. Christy Shamblin, Sgt. Nicole L. Gee’s mother-in-law, recalled the service members lost and wounded. She remembered Gee as a committed Marine, mentioning a touching photograph of Gee with a baby, taken shortly before her passing.
This emotional testimony was mirrored by other grieving parents, who openly expressed their pain and demanded clarity and justice for what they termed a “mismanaged” evacuation.
Cheryl Rex, mother of Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, sought genuine explanations, while Coral Briseno, Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez’s mother, emphasized her son’s patriotism and love for his family. She insisted on transparency from the administration and urged the creation of protective measures for military personnel.
Similarly, Alicia Lopez, mother of Cpl. Hunter Lopez, believed that disclosure of the complete facts would console many grieving families. She also expressed gratitude for being given a platform to voice her feelings.
The event was organized by Congressman Darrell Issa. In a statement, Issa highlighted the long wait for clarity and accountability these families have endured. He criticized the current administration’s response to their pleas. Issa also mentioned that a significant portion of the deceased service members were associated with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment from Camp Pendleton.
WATCH:
WATCH: Darin Hoover, father of fallen Marine Darin T. Hoover, slams Biden admin. for Afghanistan withdrawal:
"[They] did not give the order to the snipers to take out the bomber before he detonated his vest. And ultimately the President — do what our son did — be a grown ass… pic.twitter.com/SLRqOcJ7ii
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 7, 2023
