Central Montana Times

U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda. The event honored the 13 American service members killed in the terrorist attack at Abbey Gate during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Daines had introduced the bill to award these service members with the Congressional Gold Medal.

During his remarks, Senator Daines acknowledged the presence of the families of the fallen and expressed gratitude for their attendance. He shared personal reflections on values instilled by his father, a U.S. Marine, which motivated him to introduce the legislation.

Daines recounted his reaction upon hearing about the attack on August 26, 2021: "My wife and I were in my pickup... when the news broke on the radio." He described calling his parents and speaking with his mother about the tragic news.

Addressing both families and attendees, Daines emphasized: "It was their duty to serve. It is our duty to remember." He quoted General John Logan's proclamation of Memorial Day in 1868 to underscore this point.

The ceremony marked an important step in honoring those who sacrificed their lives at Abbey Gate. The 13 service members will join other distinguished heroes like George Washington and Ronald Reagan in receiving Congress's highest honor.

The service members honored are:

- Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover

- Marine Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo

- Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee

- Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez

- Marine Cpl. Daegan Page

- Marine Cpl. Humberto Sanchez

- Marine Lance Cpl. David Espinoza

- Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz

- Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum

- Marine Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola

- Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui

- Navy Petty Officer Third Class Maxton Soviak

- Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss

Senator Daines introduced the bill in September 2021 following the deadly attack.