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Sgt. Johnny Rosario Pichardo (USMC).
Sgt. Nicole L. Gee (USMC).
Staff Sergeant. Darling T. Hoover (USMC).
Cpl. Hunter Lopez (US Marine Corps).
Cpl. Big Root W. Page (USMC).
Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez (US Marine Corps).
Lance Cpl. David L. Espinosa (USMC).
Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz (US Marine Corps).
Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum (US Marine Corps).
Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola (USMC).
Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui (US Marine Corps).
Marine Soldier Maxton W. Soviak (USN).
Staff Sergeant. Ryan C. Knauss (US Army).
These are the names of 13 precious service members lost in the US withdrawal from Afghanistan a year ago.
The names of these American heroes should never be forgotten. They are dedicated to keeping us safe and preventing the bad guys from doing any further harm to our country.
A year after the Afghan withdrawal, I reflect on the lives lost. These 13 service members, along with the thousands of Afghans who lost their lives, should remind us all of what failed leadership can lead to.
A year after Kabul bombing, military families still looking for answers and accountability: ‘Too quiet’
The Biden administration made three major strategic mistakes that led to this total disaster. First, they promised to withdraw troops unconditionally on a designated departure date. Second, they handed over Bagram Air Base before withdrawing and left behind weapons that allowed the Taliban to take control of our weapons and bring back vicious prisoners. Third, they did not transfer operational control to the Department of Defense when the State Department-led withdrawal began to develop laterally. At one point, the direction of the withdrawal made it less of a diplomatic action than a military one. The Biden administration’s failure to recognize this early has led to bloodshed.
In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, the interior of a C-17 Globemaster II is decked out with flags before a decent transfer at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, on August 29, 2021. Fallen soldiers died while supporting non-combat operations in Kabul. (Photo by Jason Minto/USAF via Getty Images)
(Jason Minto/USAF via Getty Images)
Not only did this botched withdrawal cost Americans and Afghans, it also damaged our nation’s credibility on the world stage. The Biden administration’s mishandling of this self-inflicted crisis has damaged other countries’ trust in U.S. diplomatic and military capabilities.
Trust can take decades to build and seconds to lose. The failure of this administration has damaged relationships with allies that have endured countless presidencies, wars, crises and conflicts. Injuries cannot be easily undone.
In my nearly 20 years in the military, I have seen operations succeed and fail. There’s no need to master tactics or strategy to know that you shouldn’t tell the enemy your plans. But by publicly announcing our hard exit date, that’s exactly what a Biden administration has done. The entire world witnessed the disastrous consequences of this ill-advised and wrong decision.
This tragedy exposed the threat this administration poses to our national security, while also showing the world that America under a Biden administration cannot be trusted in times of crisis. That is shameful. When we pledge to protect and support our allies, mistakes like this not only cost American soldiers their lives, they put our allies at risk and our nation’s allegiance into question.
A year later, our country is still recovering from this heartbreaking tragedy. The 13 families still mourned the loss of children, siblings, grandchildren and granddaughters. This country still feels it in our stomachs due to the unnecessary loss of life.
As a country, we can do better. We must do better. But that will only happen if we get stronger leadership from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Proactive deterrence and putting military operations in the right hands is the difference between a safe withdrawal and a lethal withdrawal. The Biden administration has proven time and time again that they cannot operate safely and effectively.
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In the chaos of the crisis, however, there is a chute for hope and leadership. In Congress alone, we have seen members suspend their normal operations and establish operations centers to help rescue Americans and our allies trapped in Afghanistan. My office is able to help 115 Americans and allies stay safe, and I especially commend my colleague, Rep. Michael Walz, Republican of Florida, who has played a leading role in keeping Americans and our allies alive. Unfortunately, the lack of help from the White House and Cabinet members only further exacerbated the process of leaving so many desperate.
I will continue to do everything in my power to prevent tragedies like the Afghan withdrawal from happening again. We must put our country, our military and our citizens above party politics. When it comes to the Taliban and our enemies abroad, there is no room for error.
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Today, and every day after, please remember the names above. Never forget their legacy. Let it be a reminder that elections have consequences, and America must equip our country with appropriate leadership to ensure that this does not happen again.
Click here to read more about REP.Mike Garcia
