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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Alaska Congressman Don Young released the following statement applauding the passage of legislation he cosponsored to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 13 U.S. servicemembers who were killed during the evacuation from Afghanistan in August:

“Two months ago, our nation tragically lost 13 brave patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others,” said Congressman Don Young. “We must ensure that future generations of Americans never forget the names of these heroes and the courage they showed during the evacuation of Kabul. The reality is that 13 Gold Star Families are still grieving, and we must stand together with them as a nation. I served as an original cosponsor of this Gold Medal legislation with great humility and gratitude for our fallen. Although this is a debt that can never truly be repaid, I am grateful to my colleagues for supporting this bill. It is my great hope that in the years ahead, we continue to remember their bravery; they truly were remarkable Americans. May God bless them and may God continue to bless our troops.

The legislation will award the Congressional Gold Medal to: Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole Gee, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Daegan Page, Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, Lance Cpl. David Lee Espinoza, Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, Hospitalman Maxton Soviak and Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss.

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