“Say Their Names” Memorial Cruise Honoring Fallen 13 U.S. Service Members from Kabul Airport Attack

Community members gathered in San Clemente, California for a memorial cruise honoring the 13 members of the U.S. military killed in Afghanistan on August 26th, 2021. The bombing at the airport gate in Kabul last year left over 180 dead, including several American military personnel - 11 Marines, 1 Army Staff Sergeant and 1 Navy Corpsman.

Saturday’s event was attended by family members of one of the Marines. The cruise made its way to Norco, California, the hometown of fallen Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui. A gathering was held there at the newly-dedicated ‘Fallen 13 Memorial’, attended by other members of Kareem’s unit (2nd Battalion, 1st Marine), who along with Gold Star mother Shana Chappell laid roses at an evening ceremony. A new plaque honoring the 13 was also unveiled during the event.