Former President Donald Trump participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate the third anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan, where 13 U.S. service members lost their lives. President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris did not attend or hold any similar events.
On the third anniversary of the tragic Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan, former President Donald Trump attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery to honor the 13 fallen American service members. The ceremony was organized by Gold Star families who had lost their loved ones in the devastating attack.
President Biden and Vice President Harris conspicuously failed to attend the event or hold any similar commemorations, prompting criticism from Gold Star family members. "I think this administration has shown they have treated the Afghanistan withdrawal like the plague," said Mark Schmitz, a Gold Star father whose son, Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, was killed in the bombing.
Trump Honors Fallen Service Members in Abbey Gate Bombing Ceremony
Schmitz expressed his disappointment with the Biden administration's apparent avoidance of the anniversary, stating that it was "yet another spit in the face" to the 13 families who had lost their loved ones. He praised Trump's presence at the ceremony, describing it as "genuine."
Another Gold Star Aunt, Cheryl Juels, echoed Schmitz's sentiments, adding that Biden and Harris "have never once reached out" to any of the families affected by the bombing. "Him [Trump] coming out here today and honoring these kids who served, and spending the time talking to all of us and doing this ceremony and showing them honor and respect and dignity," Juels said. "We need President Trump back in office."
Trump Honors Fallen Service Members in Abbey Gate Bombing Ceremony
In contrast to the Biden administration's perceived inaction, Trump has consistently reached out to the Gold Star families, offering support and condolences. Juels expressed her gratitude for Trump's continued attentiveness, stating that he was the only president who had done so on a regular basis.
The Abbey Gate bombing, which occurred on August 26, 2021, was a suicide attack carried out by ISIS-K that killed 13 U.S. service members and injured 18 others. It took place during the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, which was marked by widespread criticism of the Biden administration's handling of the situation.
Trump Honors Fallen Service Members in Abbey Gate Bombing Ceremony
The U.S. service members who lost their lives in the bombing were:
* Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, U.S. Marine from Utah
Trump Honors Fallen Service Members in Abbey Gate Bombing Ceremony
* Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, a U.S. Marine from California
* Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, a U.S. Marine from Massachusetts
* Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, a U.S. Marine from California
* Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, a U.S. Marine from California
* Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, a U.S. Marine from Nebraska
* Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, a U.S. Marine from Indiana
* Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, a U.S. Marine from Texas
* Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, 20, a U.S. Marine from Missouri
* Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, a U.S. Marine from Wyoming
* Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, 20, a U.S. Marine from California
* Navy Hospital Corpsman Max Soviak, 22, a Navy corpsman from Ohio
* Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, 23, a U.S. Army soldier from Tennessee
The Gold Star families of these fallen service members continue to mourn their loss and demand accountability for the events that led to the Abbey Gate bombing. Trump's presence at the wreath-laying ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by these brave Americans and the duty to honor their memory.
