A proud son of Tennessee, Ryan's story is one of dedication, courage, and sacrifice. He gave it all in service to our great nation, tragically losing his life in the gut-wrenching events near Kabul airport. As we stood together last Saturday, we couldn't help but feel the weight of those 13 lives lost and the families forever changed.

Let me be clear—this moment wasn't just about mourning, JOHN. It was about standing tall and uniting our voices. It's no secret that the Afghanistan withdrawal didn't go the way it should've. That's why we can't stand by and let that be the end of the story. We've got to hold those in the Biden administration accountable for their mistakes, for the lives lost, and for the chaos that followed.

Let's talk straight about their failures:

They failed the thousands of Americans abandoned to fend for themselves under Taliban rule.
They failed our allies, who sent soldiers to Afghanistan to support our mission.
They failed the people of Afghanistan, who risked their lives to help us.
They failed the Americans serving there, and we emboldened our enemies like never before.

Folks, our heroes and their families deserve better. Our nation deserves better. It's on us to demand answers, to make sure our leaders step up and own their mistakes, and to ensure that what SSG. Ryan Knauss and his fellow heroes gave for us was for a darn good reason.

As we look down the road, let's take that American spirit of ours and channel it into action. It's high time we hold those in charge to a higher standard, reminding them that our commitment to our heroes and the values we hold dear aren't something to be messed with.

Thanks for standing strong with me and being part of a community that remembers, reflects, and renews our commitment to our nation's service members.

Sincerely,

Tim Burchett