Governor Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of the 23 Fallen Service Members
Governor Laura Kelly has directed that flags be flown at half-staff at all state buildings in honor of the 23 service members who were killed in the terrorist bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 26, 2021.
The flags will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today, Saturday, August 28, 2021.
“These brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country,” Governor Kelly said. “Their loss is a tragedy, and our hearts go out to their families and loved ones.”
The Department of Defense has identified the following service members who were killed: Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts; 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 Wentzville, 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; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California; Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska; Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Harris A. Halstead, 18, of Dalton, Georgia; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Taylor Hoover, 31, of Utah; Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio; Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee; Army Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah.
“We must never forget the sacrifices that our service members make for our country,” Governor Kelly said. “We owe them a debt of gratitude that we can never fully repay.”
Comments