08/27/2026
13 military members died. 11 Marines, a Navy Corpsman, a soldier with the Army. 45 other Military members were seriously wounded, some continuing to help others while suffering their own wounds. 175 Afghan civilians were killed. It was Abbey Gate at the Hamid Karzai International Airport near Kabul, Afghanistan.
In the words of the White House, "For 20 years, the brave warriors of the United States Armed Forces fought across the mountains and cities of Afghanistan to destroy terrorism and remove the Taliban from power. Yet within months, President Biden squandered those hard-fought gains, putting politics over strategy and rushing through a poorly executed withdrawal that would soon become one of the worst military disasters in our Nation’s history.
On July 2, 2021, President Biden withdrew American forces from Bagram Airfield in the middle of the night without even notifying the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. The decision surrendered our largest military base in the country, lost billions of dollars of military equipment, and left our remaining forces without its strategic advantages as the Taliban rapidly advanced. Within weeks, the Taliban seized Bagram and freed thousands of terrorists and criminals from its prisons. Kabul soon fell, leaving our troops to carry out a desperate evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport amid the devastating collapse the previous administration’s incompetence had invited."
In the years since, I have met many Veterans who served during that devastating time, and none have disputed the assessment above.
13 Military members doing their duty died, murdered in cold blood, others suffered life altering injuries, and in recent politics on TV it seems as if America contemplating it's votes has completely forgotten. Thankfully, nothing could be farther from the truth. We have NOT forgotten.
I will never remember the meeting I had at my office now a little less than five years ago when one of those forty five recovering from his own injuries stepped into my office and we had a conversation about those events. He later spoke from his heart to a good sized audience of the Lancers at the fellowship hall or Richlands First Christian Church.
A week later he gave me a copy of the last photo taken of this crew before that fateful homicide on August 26,2021. That photo has been displayed behind my desk ever since, and every morning my work begins with prayers for that team and their families.
"I need to make my life matter... I need to make sure my friends are never forgotten, and make what they lost matter." He said that day.
Last night I had the honor along with many who came to a Candlelight Vigil to honor the 13. They did it right. It was one of the most truthful and honoring remembrances I have been to in my lifetime. Every element had meaning. Every statement had heartfelt impact. Every effort those who survived are doing to honor the fallen and help the living is packed with sincerity and meaning.
I am usually a man with many words. I just don't have the capacity nor the words to explain what those who did not attend last night missed out on. It wasn't pomp and circumstance as so many events are these days. It was a sincere and deeply felt remembrance of friends and fellow service members taken too soon.
When a lighter used to light the candles of remembrance of each service member ran out of fuel, they continued on, attempted to light the last two, but the wicks were too short to light from other candles. Realizing what was going on, Commissioner John Davis stepped up and lit the final two flames without drawing attention to himself.
A mother who lost her son got a hug from a Marine who had served with him. Friends and service members signed books of remembrance for the families.
The ceremonie is held annually. I hope an even larger crowd comes out to experience it next year... not as a spectacle, but as respect for the families of those whose lives were stolen.
Yesterday changed me, and I thanked that young Marine I met some five years ago for not losing his vision...
My friend Fernando and his wife said it best, "They did it right." I think that says it all. In my office today there is a candle by that photo of those who were there. I have not forgotten them.
That's all I have to say this morning. No fancy words... just a profound thank you to those who honored the fallen and their families last night.
Here are some photos from last night. Let us make this a great morning and an even better day. JM See less
