JOHN,
Today, we honor the 13 young men and women who were killed during the Biden administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.
One of them was Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, an East Tennessee hero we will never forget. At just 23 years old, Ryan was already on his second deployment to Afghanistan when he was killed on this day back in 2021.
For Ryan’s family, the pain will never go away. He was a son, a brother, a husband, and a friend. But he was also a soldier who embodied courage and selflessness.
The chaotic exit from Afghanistan will go down in history as one of the most shameful disasters our country has seen. Decisions made in Washington put our service members in harm’s way, and their families are left to carry that burden forever.
We owe them more than empty apologies. They deserve accountability, honor, and a promise to do better.
Here’s mine: I’ll fight every day for our living veterans and active-duty service members—and I’ll do everything in my power to make sure Americans never forget the ones we’ve lost.
Join me today in praying for Ryan’s family and the families of the other 12 heroes.
I always say, aside from God, I owe everything I have to the men and women who proudly wear that uniform. Their sacrifices are a reminder that freedom is not free, and it’s our duty to make sure their efforts aren’t in vain.
Sincerely,
Tim Burchett
