Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Inhofe
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement on the anniversary of the ISIS-K terrorist attack at Hamid Karzai Airport, which killed 13 U.S. service members:
“One year ago today, amid the needless pandemonium of President Biden’s unconditional withdrawal from Afghanistan, 11 Marines, one soldier and one sailor gave their lives in service to their country. ISIS-K took advantage of the chaos at Hamid Karzai Airport and claimed not only the lives of these brave and devoted service members, who were trying to evacuate Americans and at-risk Afghans, but also the lives of at least 170 Afghans.
“As we reflect on the 2,461 American personnel lives lost during the war in Afghanistan, we must never forget the 13 who perished on August 26, 2021:
Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak of Berlin Heights, Ohio
Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss of Corryton, Tenn.
Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Jr. of Salt Lake City, Utah
Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichard of Lawrence, Mass.
Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee of Sacramento, Calif.
Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez of Indio, Calif.
Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page of Omaha, Neb.
Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez of Logansport, Ind.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza of Rio Bravo, Texas
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz of St. Charles, Mo.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum of Jackson, Wyo.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui of Norco, Calif.
“Today, we pray for the loved ones they left behind. We promise to these families that the sacrifice of their sons and daughters will never be forgotten.”