This weekend marks four years since the last U.S. military flight departed Afghanistan. Despite President Biden’s empty assurances, more than 1,000 Americans and thousands of Afghan allies were left behind, forced to face the Taliban — a terrorist regime now armed with billions of taxpayer-funded U.S. military equipment.
The consequences of this failure are still being felt today: allies targeted for retribution, terrorists emboldened, and America’s adversaries strengthened by the signal of weakness. It was a preventable tragedy that will forever stain the Biden presidency.
Americans will never forget the names of the thirteen brave U.S. service members who gave their lives at Abbey Gate in Kabul:
Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover
Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo
Sgt. Nicole L. Gee
Cpl. Hunter Lopez
Cpl. Daegan W. Page
Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez
Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza
Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz
Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum
Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola
Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui
Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak
Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss
Their sacrifice will be honored for generations to come.