Memorial Gardens | Fallen Heroes Tributes | Jacksonville, NC

8.26.2021; a day that changed the lives of 13 servicemen & women & their loved ones (and anyone who loves our military and our country) forever.

They were only doing their job - a job they loved.

Jay and I felt the need to pay our respects the only way we could. We have a beautiful Memorial Garden in Jacksonville (the home of Camp Lejeune) that has so much more than what I've shown here but I will do more videos in the future.

There's no way to express our gratitude and sadness for these incredible sacrifices.

According to Military Times: "Eleven Marines, one Navy corpsman and one soldier were “killed as the result of an enemy attack while supporting non-combatant evacuation operations,” according to a Saturday press release from the Department of Defense..."

• Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, assigned to 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Naval Support Activity Bahrain.

•Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California, assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

• Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah.

• Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California, a rifleman.

• Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, a rifleman.

• Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana, a rifleman.

• Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas, a rifleman.

• Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri, a rifleman.

• Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming, a rifleman.

• Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California, a rifleman.

• Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California.

• Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio, assigned to 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California.

• Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee. Knauss was assigned to 9th PSYOP Battalion, 8th PSYOP Group, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.

May they Rest in Peace and may those still fighting for their lives heal in body, mind, and spirit as well. You and your loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers.

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CREDITS:

Video: Videoleap Pro app - design video and music

Photos: All pictures and video by Karah Marie Tucker except for picture of the fallen 13 servicemen and women via NPR online.

Military Times for above names & information of fallen heroes.

*Afghanistan (typo in video)

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#GodBlessAmerica, #Marines, #Army, #Navy, #CoastGuard, #AirForce, #sacrifice, #prayforpeace