Opinion

13 Glasses of Beer to Honor 13 Fallen Military

On August 27, friends took me to hear their neighbor sing at a local venue. Upon entering, I immediately noted that the venue appeared to be wonderfully veteran-friendly, and Marine veterans specifically. Just after the singing began, one gentleman wearing a red ”Remember Everyone Deployed” t-shirt stepped up and took the microphone. He pointed to the back of the room and stated, “There are 13 glasses of beer on the back table, one for each of the 11 Marines, 1 Army soldier, and 1 Navy Corpsman who were killed in Kabul, Afghanistan on the 26th. We’d appreciate it if you would take a minute to reflect on their sacrifice.” With that statement, he handed the mic back to the performer and walked away.

The 13 military members killed in Kabul have been identified by the Pentagon.

13 glasses of beer to honor the fallen

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It’s tradition in military circles, to honor the fallen with an empty place setting, or glass of beer, much like the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels’ ”missing man formation.”

 

The Pentagon released the following 13 names (Military Times)

Marine Corps Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza, 20. [2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton]

The brave never die. Mr. Espinoza is a hero.

Rep Henry Cuellar, R-TX

Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover,31. [2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton]

Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, 23. [9th PSYOP Battalion, 8th PSYOP Group, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina]

Marine Corps Corporal Hunter Lopez, 22. [2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton]

Marine Corps Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum, 20. [2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton[

We want to make sure that people know that these are the kids that are sacrificing themselves, and he’s got a family who loves him and a wife who loves him and a baby that he’ll never get to meet

Cheyenne McCollum, Rylee’s sister

Marine Corps Lance Corporal Kareem Mae’Lee Grant Nikoui, 20. [2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton]

He really loved that Marine Corps family. He was devoted. He was going to make a career out of this, and he wanted to go.

Steve Nikoui, Kareem’s Father

Marine Corps Corporal Daegan William-Tyeler Page, 23. [2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton]

Marine Corps Sergeant Johanny Rosario, 25. [5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Naval Support Activity Bahrain]

Marine Corps Corporal Humberto Sanchez, 22 [2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton]

Marine Corps Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, 20 [2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton]

U.S. Navy Corpsman Maxton Soviak, 22. [1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton]

Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23. [Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune]

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20. [2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton]

‘God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.” Daniel Webster

Fox news interviewed two of the fathers of those who died. Both of them reflected that their sons were doing what they loved- protecting us all. (Note: Two of the fallen were female: Johanny Rosario and Nicole Gee).

Be afraid of our leadership, or lack thereof. Pray every day for the soldiers that are putting their lives at risk and doing what they love, which is protecting all of us. I think they’re the only ones that we can honestly say have our backs.

Mark Schmitz, Father of Jared Schmitz to Fox

Rest in Peace ladies and gentlemen. Semper Fidelis.

H/T Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children

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Faye Higbee

Faye Higbee is the columnist manager for Uncle Sam's Misguided Children. She has been writing at Conservative Firing Line since 2013 as well. She is also a published author.

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