Dear Editor,
On August 26, 2021, during the chaotic American retreat from Afghanistan, 13 United States service members gave the last full measure of devotion to safeguard the lives of American civilians in a hostile country. The following brave men and women died from a suicide attack:
• LanceCorporalDavidLeeEspinoza,20,RioBravo, Texas
• SergeantNicoleGee,23,Roseville,California
• StaffSergeantTaylorHoover,31,SaltLakeCity,Utah
• StaffSergeantRyanKnauss,23,Knoxville, Tennessee,
• LanceCorporalRyleeMcCollum,20,Bondurant, Wyoming
• CorporalHunterLopez,22,Indio,California
• LanceCorporalDylanR.Merola,20,Rancho Cucamonga, California
• LanceCorporalKareemNikoui,20,Norco, California
• SergeantJohannyRosarioPichardo,25,Lawrence, Massachusetts
• CorporalHumbertoSanchez,22,Logansport, Indiana
• CorporalDaeganWilliam-TyelerPage,23,Omaha, Nebraska
• LanceCorporalJaredSchmitz,20,St.Charles, Missouri
• SeamanMaxton“Max”Soviak,22,BerlinHeights, Ohio On February 14, 2022, Russia invaded our ally, Ukraine (to start) the first land war in Europe since World War Two. It is estimated that some 15,000 Ukrainian civilians and 70,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed so far. Russian fatalities are estimated to be more than 315,000 dead.
On October 7, 2023, some 1,200 Jews were massacred by Hamas terrorists funded by Iran. Almost 250 more civilians were taken hostage, and countless more were attacked and raped. It marked the worst single-day loss of Jewish life since World War Two.
Since that date, United States service members have been attacked over 160 times by Iranian-backed terrorist groups. Hundreds of service members have been wounded, many with traumatic brain injuries.
On the night of November 20, 2023, a British transport ship was seized by Iranian-based Houthi pirates.
Overall, the Houthis have attacked more than 30 civilian transport ships in and around the Red Sea.
As a result, many ships are now traveling the long way around Africa, adding some 26 days and countless millions of gallons of gas to their voyage.
On the night of January 21, 2024, two Navy Seals were lost at sea during the boarding of a ship carrying lethal ballistic missiles being illegally transported to Iranian-backed terrorists.
Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Chambers, 37, Westfield, Massachusetts Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram, 27, Trophy Club, Texas.
On January 24, 2024, the U.S. Navy intercepted two missiles that Houthi pirates shot at a U.S. transport vessel. Weeks later, the USS Gravely was nearly hit by a cruise missile fired by Iranian-backed Houthi pirates.
On the night of January 28, 2024, three Army soldiers at a U.S. outpost tower were murdered in their sleep by an Iranian-backed terrorist drone attack. All three of these brave soldiers were from Georgia.
• Sgt.WilliamJeromeRivers,46,Carrolton
• Sgt.KennedyLadonSanders,24,Waycross
• Sgt.BreonnaAlexsondriaMoffett,23,ofSavannah “The brave die never, though they sleep in dust. Their courage nerves a thousand living men.” – Minot Judson Savage (1841-1918) It is fitting that we remember.
Dave Belton Captain, Delta Airlines Commander, American Legion Post 37 Georgia House of Representatives (retired) United StatesNavy (retired)