It was a year ago today that 13 American military service members made the ultimate sacrifice when they were killed by a suicide bomber terrorist at Abbey Gate, Kabul Airport, Afghanistan.  

In total, 11 U.S. Marines, one Navy corpsman and one Army soldier were killed in the blast.

They were:

Marine Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover
Marine Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo
Marine Sgt. Nicole L. Gee
Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez
Marine Cpl. Daegen W. Page
Marine Cpl. Humberto A.Sanchez
Marine Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza
Marine Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz
Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum
Marine Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola
Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui
Navy Hospital Man. Maxton W. Soviak
Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss

An additional 45 U.S. soldiers were injured.  At least 170 Afghan civilians were also killed in the blast.

Their sacrifice on our behalf will never be forgotten. Their honorable service will always be remembered. Please join me in a moment of silence as I grieve the loss of those courageous service members and acknowledge the pain their loved ones still experience today. 

May God care for those beautiful souls into eternity and bless those loved ones left behind.

Ethan Jones lives in Rockport