Left to right, top to bottom: Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover.
Photo provided/U.S. MilitaryTwo west Michigan teens decided to pay tribute this week to the 11 Marines, the Navy sailor and the Army Special Forces soldier who died in the attack on the Kabul airport that took place on Aug. 26 amid the U.S. evacuation of Afghanistan.
On Aug. 26, two suicide bombers and gunmen attacked crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul’s airport, transforming a scene of desperation into one of horror in the waning days of an airlift for those fleeing the Taliban takeover. The attacks killed at least 60 Afghans and 13 U.S. troops, according to the Associated Press.
Touched by the tragedy, two longtime friends organized a 13 mile walk for the 13 fallen service men in West Michigan.
Austin Coleman, a freshman at Byron Center High School, and CJ Karman, a junior at Wayland High School, started the trek Monday morning, Sept. 6, at Van Andel Arena, according to FOX 17.
“I just believe that they need more recognition and they deserve way more than what they do come home to,” Coleman told FOX 17.
According to the teens, they found out about the deaths through social media. While discussing the event with each other afterwards, they thought this would be a simple gesture to show support for the families impacted and advocated for better veteran resources, said FOX 17.
The pair walked through Grand Rapids, and at times, were joined by other friends and family members.
Both of the young men hope it inspires people to do something to commemorate the sacrifices made by the men and women who died as the United States left Afghanistan, according to FOX 17.
“Some are married and some are leaving their family behind, their kids,” Coleman said in a statement. “It’s just not right for them to not get what they deserve.”
Below are the names of the Marines killed in the attack according to the U.S. Military:
- Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah
- Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts
- Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California
- Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California
- Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska
- Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California
The deceased sailor was Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio. He was assigned to 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California.
The soldier killed in the attack was Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee. Knauss was assigned to 9th PSYOP Battalion, 8th PSYOP Group, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.
