This joint resolution honors the thirteen U.S. service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the August 26, 2021, bombing at Abbey Gate during the withdrawal from Afghanistan and designates a National Day of Remembrance.
Markwayne Mullin
Senator
OK
This joint resolution formally honors the thirteen U.S. service members who were killed in the August 26, 2021, bombing at Abbey Gate during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. It recognizes their ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation and expresses deep gratitude to their families. The resolution also designates a National Day of Remembrance to ensure their faithful service is never forgotten.
Joint Resolution Honors 13 Fallen Service Members, Designates National Day of Remembrance
This joint resolution is a formal, non-binding declaration by the U.S. government to honor the 13 service members who died in the Abbey Gate bombing at the Kabul airport on August 26, 2021, during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. It specifically names Marine Corps Lance Corporal David L. Espinoza, Marine Corps Sergeant Nicole L. Gee, Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Christian Knauss, and ten others, recognizing their service as the "absolute best of the United States." Essentially, it’s the government officially saying, “We see their sacrifice, and we won’t forget it.”
The Ultimate Acknowledgment
For most people, policy is about costs, regulations, or new programs. This resolution is different; it’s about recognition and respect. The bill text emphasizes that the actions of these service members saved thousands of innocent lives from Taliban control during the chaotic withdrawal. The resolution formally declares that their ultimate sacrifice on that day will be remembered "as long as this Nation exists," serving as a permanent public record of their faithful service for liberty.
A National Day of Remembrance
One of the most concrete actions in this resolution is the designation of a National Day of Remembrance. While the resolution doesn't specify the exact date or the mechanisms of the day, the intent is clear: to set aside a specific, official day to honor those American service members who fell in the Abbey Gate attack. For Gold Star Families—the immediate families of the deceased—this means their loved ones’ sacrifice is not just a footnote in history but a nationally recognized day of honor, providing a measure of public comfort and acknowledgment.
Condolences and Gratitude for Gold Star Families
The resolution also mandates that the nation formally expresses its deepest condolences and gratitude to the Gold Star Families. This isn't just a general statement; it's a specific, public acknowledgment directed at the people most affected. While a resolution can't fix grief, it validates the sacrifice made by those families. For the military community and veterans, this resolution reinforces the idea that the nation remembers the cost of service, which is vital for morale and the relationship between the military and the public.