Trump Campaign verbally and physically assaults Arlington Memorial staff, illegally uses site for campaigning

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the Gold Star moms was just on Fox and said that Harris and Biden were invited but they didn’t respond. DP.

That seems unlikely enough that it makes me really wonder who sent the invitation, as well as when, where and how. If the invitations were sent via whatever the proper channels might be, it’s difficult to imagine that both offices wouldn’t have at least sent letters expressing regrets. Both offices must get hundreds of invitations each week. A response would have been routine. So, definitely something I’m curious about. Was a letter sent to the right offices, a few months in advance? Did someone send a tweet a few days ahead of the event? This all seems quite odd.

My theory is that some Trump aide heard the dad’s speech at the RNC and cooked up the ceremony. I doubt that the families had the wherewithal to secure honor guards to attend. The date of the “invitations” will support me on this. An acting president can’t always drop everything to attend a ceremony, and if he did, it would imply that he should attend constant anniversaries of honorable deaths. President Biden attended their honorable transfer three years ago at Dover. When the president gazed at rosary beads he had wrapped around his wrist, MAGA media exploded with the accusation that he was looking at his watch.

You are wrong. The date of the ceremony was the actual anniversary of the bombing.

Arlington provides the Military personnel to support the ceremony.

You are just so wrong.



I don’t see rosary beads.

How come only the one family was involved in "the ceremony" and not all 13 families? If it's supposedly some kind of "official ceremony for the anniversary of the attack" then why were the other 12 families excluded from it?

And did Trump attend the 1st anniversary "official ceremony?" Or the 2nd anniversary "official ceremony?" The answer is no, because there was no such "official ceremony" and more to the point, because it wasn't an election year and Trump didn't give a shit because it only meant something to him if he could use it as a political stunt.

And, it's very well known he wears rosary beads on that wrist with that watch but they may be above or below where the watch band is, and either way are typically hidden by his shirt cuff.



It's YOU who is "just so wrong."

You have repeated that only one Abbey Gate Family participated in the Wreath Laying ceremony and the other 12 were “excluded.”

Source?
Citation?

Where are you getting that information from?

Face it. Trump has angered many people with his sacrilege.

The rabbit hole of the “ceremony” details are irrelevant.

You are just making crap up.

If the details are irrelevant, then why are you lying about the Wreath Laying Ceremony?

Why was only one family involved in this supposed "Wreath Laying Ceremony?" Why wasn't Trump there for the 1st or 2nd Anniversary? Why weren't Arlington rules being followed if it was supposedly an official Arlington ceremony?

The answer is that this was NOT an official Wreath Laying Ceremony. It was a political stunt, orchestrated by a family member who spoke at the RNC convention, meant to try and cast shame on the Biden admin just 2 months before the election. Though, as we all know, Trump was responsible for setting up and sabotaging the Afghanistan withdrawal before Biden even got into office.

A wreath was laid by the family of Sgt Nicole Gee; a wreath was laid for the Abbey Gate 13.

Both wreath laying ceremonies were official US Army Wreath laying ceremonies.


Sgt Nicole Gee’s family had to secure private help (outside of the DOD) to transport her body to Arlington for her burial in ANC.


In a message Wednesday to The Sacramento Bee, Christy Shamblin, Gee’s mother-in-law, said the family was fortunate to have the help of Honoring Our Fallen, a nonprofit organization, which found a private pilot who donated the transport, sparing them the hefty price tag.

“Not every family was so fortunate,” she said.

Honoring Our Fallen supports “the dignified transfer, arrival, and burial of fallen active duty military and first responders,” Laura Herzog, the nonprofit’s founder and CEO, said in a statement sent to The Bee Thursday.

“To avoid having Sgt. Gee’s remains be transported via a commercial airline, I personally secured an in-kind donation of a flight in a private aircraft,” Herzog said.

“No monies were exchanged or expected to be paid by our organization or the family. This was a donation made by a veteran who donated this service to us to assist us in honoring Sgt. Gee,” she added.

The Pentagon official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that “Marine Corps casualty assistance officers were in direct communication with Sgt. Gee’s family, and they remain in contact today.” The official told McClatchyDC, The Bee’s Washington bureau, that “the Marine Corps stayed consistent with its policy that all costs associated with internment be borne by the government.”

“The Marine Corps takes very seriously the transfer of remains of our Marines,” the official said, “they never leave a Marine behind, and they care for the families of their fallen Marines.”


After her death, the Department of Defense originally paid for Gee’s remains to be transported to her family in Roseville, where a local funeral was held for her. However, the department later “declined to cover the cost of transportation to her final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery.”

“Gold Star families have given too much to be treated so poorly,” the Rocklin Republican wrote.

https://amp.sacbee.com/news/local/article277683098.html

If "official" (no idea how you define that or verify that) then why only one of the dead get a personal wreath? And if "official" why were they so careless about photographing the headstone of another soldier with no connection to the bombing, which is EXPLICITLY against the rules?

There were two wreaths laid; one for Sgt. Gee and another for the Abbey Gate 13.

The grave markers are close and half of another marker was in a photograph. If you think that is a tragedy you should read about what happened to the Abbey Gate 13 and remember their faces and names. They didn’t have to die as Biden had multiple warnings about a an imminent terrorist attack at Hamid Kharzi airport.

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the Gold Star moms was just on Fox and said that Harris and Biden were invited but they didn’t respond. DP.

That seems unlikely enough that it makes me really wonder who sent the invitation, as well as when, where and how. If the invitations were sent via whatever the proper channels might be, it’s difficult to imagine that both offices wouldn’t have at least sent letters expressing regrets. Both offices must get hundreds of invitations each week. A response would have been routine. So, definitely something I’m curious about. Was a letter sent to the right offices, a few months in advance? Did someone send a tweet a few days ahead of the event? This all seems quite odd.

My theory is that some Trump aide heard the dad’s speech at the RNC and cooked up the ceremony. I doubt that the families had the wherewithal to secure honor guards to attend. The date of the “invitations” will support me on this. An acting president can’t always drop everything to attend a ceremony, and if he did, it would imply that he should attend constant anniversaries of honorable deaths. President Biden attended their honorable transfer three years ago at Dover. When the president gazed at rosary beads he had wrapped around his wrist, MAGA media exploded with the accusation that he was looking at his watch.

You are wrong. The date of the ceremony was the actual anniversary of the bombing.

Arlington provides the Military personnel to support the ceremony.

You are just so wrong.



I don’t see rosary beads.

How come only the one family was involved in "the ceremony" and not all 13 families? If it's supposedly some kind of "official ceremony for the anniversary of the attack" then why were the other 12 families excluded from it?

And did Trump attend the 1st anniversary "official ceremony?" Or the 2nd anniversary "official ceremony?" The answer is no, because there was no such "official ceremony" and more to the point, because it wasn't an election year and Trump didn't give a shit because it only meant something to him if he could use it as a political stunt.

And, it's very well known he wears rosary beads on that wrist with that watch but they may be above or below where the watch band is, and either way are typically hidden by his shirt cuff.



It's YOU who is "just so wrong."

You have repeated that only one Abbey Gate Family participated in the Wreath Laying ceremony and the other 12 were “excluded.”

Source?
Citation?

Where are you getting that information from?

Face it. Trump has angered many people with his sacrilege.

The rabbit hole of the “ceremony” details are irrelevant.

You are just making crap up.

If the details are irrelevant, then why are you lying about the Wreath Laying Ceremony?

Why was only one family involved in this supposed "Wreath Laying Ceremony?" Why wasn't Trump there for the 1st or 2nd Anniversary? Why weren't Arlington rules being followed if it was supposedly an official Arlington ceremony?

The answer is that this was NOT an official Wreath Laying Ceremony. It was a political stunt, orchestrated by a family member who spoke at the RNC convention, meant to try and cast shame on the Biden admin just 2 months before the election. Though, as we all know, Trump was responsible for setting up and sabotaging the Afghanistan withdrawal before Biden even got into office.

A wreath was laid by the family of Sgt Nicole Gee; a wreath was laid for the Abbey Gate 13.

Both wreath laying ceremonies were official US Army Wreath laying ceremonies.


Sgt Nicole Gee’s family had to secure private help (outside of the DOD) to transport her body to Arlington for her burial in ANC.


In a message Wednesday to The Sacramento Bee, Christy Shamblin, Gee’s mother-in-law, said the family was fortunate to have the help of Honoring Our Fallen, a nonprofit organization, which found a private pilot who donated the transport, sparing them the hefty price tag.

“Not every family was so fortunate,” she said.

Honoring Our Fallen supports “the dignified transfer, arrival, and burial of fallen active duty military and first responders,” Laura Herzog, the nonprofit’s founder and CEO, said in a statement sent to The Bee Thursday.

“To avoid having Sgt. Gee’s remains be transported via a commercial airline, I personally secured an in-kind donation of a flight in a private aircraft,” Herzog said.

“No monies were exchanged or expected to be paid by our organization or the family. This was a donation made by a veteran who donated this service to us to assist us in honoring Sgt. Gee,” she added.

The Pentagon official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that “Marine Corps casualty assistance officers were in direct communication with Sgt. Gee’s family, and they remain in contact today.” The official told McClatchyDC, The Bee’s Washington bureau, that “the Marine Corps stayed consistent with its policy that all costs associated with internment be borne by the government.”

“The Marine Corps takes very seriously the transfer of remains of our Marines,” the official said, “they never leave a Marine behind, and they care for the families of their fallen Marines.”


After her death, the Department of Defense originally paid for Gee’s remains to be transported to her family in Roseville, where a local funeral was held for her. However, the department later “declined to cover the cost of transportation to her final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery.”

“Gold Star families have given too much to be treated so poorly,” the Rocklin Republican wrote.

https://amp.sacbee.com/news/local/article277683098.html

If "official" (no idea how you define that or verify that) then why only one of the dead get a personal wreath? And if "official" why were they so careless about photographing the headstone of another soldier with no connection to the bombing, which is EXPLICITLY against the rules?

There were two wreaths laid; one for Sgt. Gee and another for the Abbey Gate 13.

The grave markers are close and half of another marker was in a photograph. If you think that is a tragedy you should read about what happened to the Abbey Gate 13 and remember their faces and names. They didn’t have to die as Biden had multiple warnings about a an imminent terrorist attack at Hamid Kharzi airport.

It's unfortunate that Trump released so many Taliban in advance, then. At least he was there to give a "thumb-up, I did it" sign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the Gold Star moms was just on Fox and said that Harris and Biden were invited but they didn’t respond. DP.

That seems unlikely enough that it makes me really wonder who sent the invitation, as well as when, where and how. If the invitations were sent via whatever the proper channels might be, it’s difficult to imagine that both offices wouldn’t have at least sent letters expressing regrets. Both offices must get hundreds of invitations each week. A response would have been routine. So, definitely something I’m curious about. Was a letter sent to the right offices, a few months in advance? Did someone send a tweet a few days ahead of the event? This all seems quite odd.

My theory is that some Trump aide heard the dad’s speech at the RNC and cooked up the ceremony. I doubt that the families had the wherewithal to secure honor guards to attend. The date of the “invitations” will support me on this. An acting president can’t always drop everything to attend a ceremony, and if he did, it would imply that he should attend constant anniversaries of honorable deaths. President Biden attended their honorable transfer three years ago at Dover. When the president gazed at rosary beads he had wrapped around his wrist, MAGA media exploded with the accusation that he was looking at his watch.

You are wrong. The date of the ceremony was the actual anniversary of the bombing.

Arlington provides the Military personnel to support the ceremony.

You are just so wrong.



I don’t see rosary beads.

How come only the one family was involved in "the ceremony" and not all 13 families? If it's supposedly some kind of "official ceremony for the anniversary of the attack" then why were the other 12 families excluded from it?

And did Trump attend the 1st anniversary "official ceremony?" Or the 2nd anniversary "official ceremony?" The answer is no, because there was no such "official ceremony" and more to the point, because it wasn't an election year and Trump didn't give a shit because it only meant something to him if he could use it as a political stunt.

And, it's very well known he wears rosary beads on that wrist with that watch but they may be above or below where the watch band is, and either way are typically hidden by his shirt cuff.



It's YOU who is "just so wrong."

You have repeated that only one Abbey Gate Family participated in the Wreath Laying ceremony and the other 12 were “excluded.”

Source?
Citation?

Where are you getting that information from?

Face it. Trump has angered many people with his sacrilege.

The rabbit hole of the “ceremony” details are irrelevant.

You are just making crap up.

If the details are irrelevant, then why are you lying about the Wreath Laying Ceremony?

Why was only one family involved in this supposed "Wreath Laying Ceremony?" Why wasn't Trump there for the 1st or 2nd Anniversary? Why weren't Arlington rules being followed if it was supposedly an official Arlington ceremony?

The answer is that this was NOT an official Wreath Laying Ceremony. It was a political stunt, orchestrated by a family member who spoke at the RNC convention, meant to try and cast shame on the Biden admin just 2 months before the election. Though, as we all know, Trump was responsible for setting up and sabotaging the Afghanistan withdrawal before Biden even got into office.

A wreath was laid by the family of Sgt Nicole Gee; a wreath was laid for the Abbey Gate 13.

Both wreath laying ceremonies were official US Army Wreath laying ceremonies.


Sgt Nicole Gee’s family had to secure private help (outside of the DOD) to transport her body to Arlington for her burial in ANC.


In a message Wednesday to The Sacramento Bee, Christy Shamblin, Gee’s mother-in-law, said the family was fortunate to have the help of Honoring Our Fallen, a nonprofit organization, which found a private pilot who donated the transport, sparing them the hefty price tag.

“Not every family was so fortunate,” she said.

Honoring Our Fallen supports “the dignified transfer, arrival, and burial of fallen active duty military and first responders,” Laura Herzog, the nonprofit’s founder and CEO, said in a statement sent to The Bee Thursday.

“To avoid having Sgt. Gee’s remains be transported via a commercial airline, I personally secured an in-kind donation of a flight in a private aircraft,” Herzog said.

“No monies were exchanged or expected to be paid by our organization or the family. This was a donation made by a veteran who donated this service to us to assist us in honoring Sgt. Gee,” she added.

The Pentagon official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that “Marine Corps casualty assistance officers were in direct communication with Sgt. Gee’s family, and they remain in contact today.” The official told McClatchyDC, The Bee’s Washington bureau, that “the Marine Corps stayed consistent with its policy that all costs associated with internment be borne by the government.”

“The Marine Corps takes very seriously the transfer of remains of our Marines,” the official said, “they never leave a Marine behind, and they care for the families of their fallen Marines.”


After her death, the Department of Defense originally paid for Gee’s remains to be transported to her family in Roseville, where a local funeral was held for her. However, the department later “declined to cover the cost of transportation to her final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery.”

“Gold Star families have given too much to be treated so poorly,” the Rocklin Republican wrote.

https://amp.sacbee.com/news/local/article277683098.html

If "official" (no idea how you define that or verify that) then why only one of the dead get a personal wreath? And if "official" why were they so careless about photographing the headstone of another soldier with no connection to the bombing, which is EXPLICITLY against the rules?

There were two wreaths laid; one for Sgt. Gee and another for the Abbey Gate 13.

The grave markers are close and half of another marker was in a photograph. If you think that is a tragedy you should read about what happened to the Abbey Gate 13 and remember their faces and names. They didn’t have to die as Biden had multiple warnings about a an imminent terrorist attack at Hamid Kharzi airport.

No. The original photo had the entirety of the marker of the Green Beret who served eight combat tours. Part of the attempted cleanup was to cut out part of the group and part of the marker.

But still. Trump was wrong. It’s nobody’s fault but his own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the Gold Star moms was just on Fox and said that Harris and Biden were invited but they didn’t respond. DP.

That seems unlikely enough that it makes me really wonder who sent the invitation, as well as when, where and how. If the invitations were sent via whatever the proper channels might be, it’s difficult to imagine that both offices wouldn’t have at least sent letters expressing regrets. Both offices must get hundreds of invitations each week. A response would have been routine. So, definitely something I’m curious about. Was a letter sent to the right offices, a few months in advance? Did someone send a tweet a few days ahead of the event? This all seems quite odd.

My theory is that some Trump aide heard the dad’s speech at the RNC and cooked up the ceremony. I doubt that the families had the wherewithal to secure honor guards to attend. The date of the “invitations” will support me on this. An acting president can’t always drop everything to attend a ceremony, and if he did, it would imply that he should attend constant anniversaries of honorable deaths. President Biden attended their honorable transfer three years ago at Dover. When the president gazed at rosary beads he had wrapped around his wrist, MAGA media exploded with the accusation that he was looking at his watch.

You are wrong. The date of the ceremony was the actual anniversary of the bombing.

Arlington provides the Military personnel to support the ceremony.

You are just so wrong.



I don’t see rosary beads.

How come only the one family was involved in "the ceremony" and not all 13 families? If it's supposedly some kind of "official ceremony for the anniversary of the attack" then why were the other 12 families excluded from it?

And did Trump attend the 1st anniversary "official ceremony?" Or the 2nd anniversary "official ceremony?" The answer is no, because there was no such "official ceremony" and more to the point, because it wasn't an election year and Trump didn't give a shit because it only meant something to him if he could use it as a political stunt.

And, it's very well known he wears rosary beads on that wrist with that watch but they may be above or below where the watch band is, and either way are typically hidden by his shirt cuff.



It's YOU who is "just so wrong."

You have repeated that only one Abbey Gate Family participated in the Wreath Laying ceremony and the other 12 were “excluded.”

Source?
Citation?

Where are you getting that information from?

Face it. Trump has angered many people with his sacrilege.

The rabbit hole of the “ceremony” details are irrelevant.

You are just making crap up.

If the details are irrelevant, then why are you lying about the Wreath Laying Ceremony?

Why was only one family involved in this supposed "Wreath Laying Ceremony?" Why wasn't Trump there for the 1st or 2nd Anniversary? Why weren't Arlington rules being followed if it was supposedly an official Arlington ceremony?

The answer is that this was NOT an official Wreath Laying Ceremony. It was a political stunt, orchestrated by a family member who spoke at the RNC convention, meant to try and cast shame on the Biden admin just 2 months before the election. Though, as we all know, Trump was responsible for setting up and sabotaging the Afghanistan withdrawal before Biden even got into office.

A wreath was laid by the family of Sgt Nicole Gee; a wreath was laid for the Abbey Gate 13.

Both wreath laying ceremonies were official US Army Wreath laying ceremonies.


Sgt Nicole Gee’s family had to secure private help (outside of the DOD) to transport her body to Arlington for her burial in ANC.


In a message Wednesday to The Sacramento Bee, Christy Shamblin, Gee’s mother-in-law, said the family was fortunate to have the help of Honoring Our Fallen, a nonprofit organization, which found a private pilot who donated the transport, sparing them the hefty price tag.

“Not every family was so fortunate,” she said.

Honoring Our Fallen supports “the dignified transfer, arrival, and burial of fallen active duty military and first responders,” Laura Herzog, the nonprofit’s founder and CEO, said in a statement sent to The Bee Thursday.

“To avoid having Sgt. Gee’s remains be transported via a commercial airline, I personally secured an in-kind donation of a flight in a private aircraft,” Herzog said.

“No monies were exchanged or expected to be paid by our organization or the family. This was a donation made by a veteran who donated this service to us to assist us in honoring Sgt. Gee,” she added.

The Pentagon official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that “Marine Corps casualty assistance officers were in direct communication with Sgt. Gee’s family, and they remain in contact today.” The official told McClatchyDC, The Bee’s Washington bureau, that “the Marine Corps stayed consistent with its policy that all costs associated with internment be borne by the government.”

“The Marine Corps takes very seriously the transfer of remains of our Marines,” the official said, “they never leave a Marine behind, and they care for the families of their fallen Marines.”


After her death, the Department of Defense originally paid for Gee’s remains to be transported to her family in Roseville, where a local funeral was held for her. However, the department later “declined to cover the cost of transportation to her final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery.”

“Gold Star families have given too much to be treated so poorly,” the Rocklin Republican wrote.

https://amp.sacbee.com/news/local/article277683098.html

If "official" (no idea how you define that or verify that) then why only one of the dead get a personal wreath? And if "official" why were they so careless about photographing the headstone of another soldier with no connection to the bombing, which is EXPLICITLY against the rules?

There were two wreaths laid; one for Sgt. Gee and another for the Abbey Gate 13.

The grave markers are close and half of another marker was in a photograph. If you think that is a tragedy you should read about what happened to the Abbey Gate 13 and remember their faces and names. They didn’t have to die as Biden had multiple warnings about a an imminent terrorist attack at Hamid Kharzi airport.

What was the nature of those warnings and what was the tactical response?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now Trump is blaming Kamala for his Arlington misdeeds. I’m just waiting for him to blame Kamala for his seeking 5 deferments for bone spurs to get out of Vietnam service.

It was a made up story by Comrade Kamala and her misinformation squad,” Trump posted on his Truth Social website using the sobriquet he has coined for Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.

He just makes up random garbage on an hourly basis and tries to spin it as truth.

And yet people want this thing as president... again. This overgrown, puteluant toddler.

[Anonymous]

petulant*

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now Trump is blaming Kamala for his Arlington misdeeds. I’m just waiting for him to blame Kamala for his seeking 5 deferments for bone spurs to get out of Vietnam service.

It was a made up story by Comrade Kamala and her misinformation squad,” Trump posted on his Truth Social website using the sobriquet he has coined for Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.

He just makes up random garbage on an hourly basis and tries to spin it as truth.

And yet people want this thing as president... again. This overgrown, puteluant toddler.

It's such a bad example for our kids. They say Trump mis-speaks and makes up stuff all the time, what's the consequence for me?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Low energy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just joining now...

But why haven't the Biden/Harris Admin reached out more to the Gold Star Families of the Afghanistan withdrawal? Yes, I'm sure they would face ire--but it could be private meetings. The anguish of these families ... it seems a simple thing to 'do the right thing' and acknowledge and offer comfort, even if rejected. I don't really understand why they are just ignoring them.

Highly skeptical that you're "just joining now" (in fact, I think some of you are trolls and are sockpuppeting). I have a question for YOU: what is so special about this group of Gold Star families? Why should they be singled out for attention and not any other group of families of war dead?

OK, well, I guess you can ask Jeff to verify I haven't posted on this thread before if it matters to you.

I am not sure why you are answering a question with a question. My husband has served in combat under multiple administrations, and if he had been killed in combat, God forbid, I don't know if I would have been receptive to outreach from the CIC at the time - but I would certainly prefer it be proffered than not proffered. It is impossible to predict how families will react, which is why notification is such a tremendous duty, but it is the right thing to do to offer full ceremony, ritual and regard to Gold Star families. If it is rebuffed, it's rebuffed-but it seems a simple thing to do. I am wondering why it hasn't been done? It certainly is causing further division and pain.

I'm the PP you are responding to. I answered a question with a question because I STILL don't understand what is so special about this specific group of Gold Star families--given the enormity of loss represented at ANC. But I will try to answer your questions on the assumption that they are sincere. You asked: "But why haven't the Biden/Harris Admin reached out more to the Gold Star Families of the Afghanistan withdrawal? Yes, I'm sure they would face ire--but it could be private meetings. The anguish of these families ... it seems a simple thing to 'do the right thing' and acknowledge and offer comfort, even if rejected. I don't really understand why they are just ignoring them."

I can't speak for the Biden administration, but I'm assuming they're not reaching out to the families because it would be a damned if you do/damned if you don't situation. Since the incident occurred, it has become highly politicized and is a frequent line of attack against the Biden administration. Some of the relatives were openly hostile to Biden and criticized him publicly 3 years ago after Biden met with the families at Dover when the caskets were brought back. A subset of the families spoke at the recent RNC and, working with the Trump Campaign, have released a statement and videos which criticize Biden and Harris. The relatives are not looking for "comfort" from the Biden administration as you suggest. Some of them hold Biden personally culpable for their loved ones' deaths. You can be sure that if Biden met with them, even if privately, he would not be graciously received and every word of the interaction would be used against him. They've already made up their minds about what happened and who's at fault and there's nothing Biden or Harris can do or say to change that. Finally, Biden/Harris are not "just ignoring them"--the WH has said that B/H were not invited (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-harris-werent-invited-arlington-abbey-gate-trump-rcna169154).

Biden did meet with them though. Not all the families but I’m sure all would have been invited. They were unhappy with the meeting (they accused him of looking at his watch). But it most certainly happened.

Yes, he met with those of them that would meet with him (some refused) at Dover three years ago when the caskets came in and he was, as you say, criticized for looking at his watch, among other things. The issue is that some PPs are saying that Biden should have met with the families again in 2024, on the 3rd year anniversary.

I think the families' "issue" (besides their fallen children) is the sense that this administration has brushed their children's deaths under a rug. When they say the administration needs to "say their names" it is similar to BLM or any other anguished cry that a person in a position of political authority acknowledge a situation or events. Equally obvious is that the Biden (and now future Harris administration) would like as little attention paid to the withdrawal and Abbey Gate as possible. Let's talk about what we are really talking about, on both sides of this 'ceremonial observance' controversy.

But Biden does “say their names” and is very caring of our troops. This has been evident for decades.

This is not a “both sides” issue.

Trump, as usual, took our country to a new low by breaking decorum and politicizing ANC. He’s a psychopath and doesn’t care about anyone but himself.

We are talking about this specific incident, a massacre during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. There is disagreement about how his administration has responded to critique of that, and to the families of the fallen during that incident. Not his attitude overall to the military.

And you don't think that some of the families who are in the tank for Trump, had it in for Biden from the outset and have been fomenting that "disagreement" for almost 3 years now?

Like, from before their kids died? You think they have just seized their kids death as an opportunity to 'take on Biden'. Like, a silver lining? Weird. No, I think they hated the sloppy withdrawal, blame Biden as Commander in Chief for their children's death when they were literally preparing a homecoming, and want to call attention to his mishandling of the withdrawal at every opportunity. I think any parent would behave this way. You may not agree that Biden is at fault, but since they feel that way, their behavior is very understandable.

When troops are drawn down to a scant 2,500 and 5,000 taliban fighters were released by Trump, how exactly is there going to be a clean withdrawal? Please name a similar instance where this "clean withdrawal" has occurred.

2,500 is enough to provide security for a measured withdrawal. if it wasn't thought to be enough, Biden could have put more troops in. My husband withdrew from Afghanistan quite a few times, and was back what felt like the next week because the plan changed. The military is flexible like that. This withdrawal was botched and both American servicemembers and Afghans died in the chaos. The buck stops with the administration overseeing it

Do you actually read the information out there? No, Biden could not have put more troops in. Trump agreed with withdraw troops and he explicitly agreed that the US would not deploy any more troops to Afghanistan. So, he forced the Afghan government to release 5K Taliban soldiers. Then he cut our forces down to 2500. So, he deliberately outnumbered the US troops. He had them release twice as many soldiers as he left on the ground. And that didn't include any Taliban that were not imprisoned. So the troops left were outnumbered at least 4:1. Then Trump agreed to a deadline of May 1, which was 3.5 months after Biden was inaugurated. And he left no plans for the withdrawal. So, Biden had 3.5 months to establish and implement a planned withdrawal. Trump had 11 months from February 2020 until January 2021 and he deliberately made no plans for the withdrawal, throwing an entirely chaotic and weak situation for Biden to pick up in the last week of January. He also announced the withdrawal so that the Taliban could go from city to city and plan to assault any remaining American civilians or US troops left in each city. But he made no plans to withdraw civilians, so military personnel had to stay in each city to round up civilians and get them out before the deadline. While still securing each city and guarding their route to safety.

As for the military changing, it is easier to change plans when there are 13K forces in the region. It is much harder to change plans when every soldier that is withdrawn cannot return by international agreement. So, once a plan is made, it could not be walked back or changed, regardless of how flexible the staff was. That was what Trump promised.

All of this, but to the bolded...Trump and Pompeo closed the "Special Visa Office" at the State Department that would have processed the Visa applciations for our allies on the ground. Biden had to re-open and staff that office as one of the first priorities after 1/20/21, but it wasn't enough to get the job done. Trump totally sandbagged our troops and our allies on the ground and yet, it's all Biden's fault, right?

My husband (pretty high up) was part of two "agreed" drawdowns and withdrawals from that benighted land. He officially withdrew, we all cheered, they dismantled a bunch of stuff, and then lo and behold the situation changed and back he went and then officially withdrew again. Please do not give me the line that "agreements' can't change. I am literally holding my side laughing.

So, you and your husband are OK with the initial F up from Trump?

And BTW, that land is "benighted" because of people like you who destroyed it. Per usual, American arrogance and ignorance on on full-display when it comes to once peaceful nations destroyed by American "diplomacy." You tell yourself the Taliban was always there. IT WASN'T.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Low energy.

And weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the Gold Star moms was just on Fox and said that Harris and Biden were invited but they didn’t respond. DP.

That seems unlikely enough that it makes me really wonder who sent the invitation, as well as when, where and how. If the invitations were sent via whatever the proper channels might be, it’s difficult to imagine that both offices wouldn’t have at least sent letters expressing regrets. Both offices must get hundreds of invitations each week. A response would have been routine. So, definitely something I’m curious about. Was a letter sent to the right offices, a few months in advance? Did someone send a tweet a few days ahead of the event? This all seems quite odd.

My theory is that some Trump aide heard the dad’s speech at the RNC and cooked up the ceremony. I doubt that the families had the wherewithal to secure honor guards to attend. The date of the “invitations” will support me on this. An acting president can’t always drop everything to attend a ceremony, and if he did, it would imply that he should attend constant anniversaries of honorable deaths. President Biden attended their honorable transfer three years ago at Dover. When the president gazed at rosary beads he had wrapped around his wrist, MAGA media exploded with the accusation that he was looking at his watch.

You are wrong. The date of the ceremony was the actual anniversary of the bombing.

Arlington provides the Military personnel to support the ceremony.

You are just so wrong.



I don’t see rosary beads.

How come only the one family was involved in "the ceremony" and not all 13 families? If it's supposedly some kind of "official ceremony for the anniversary of the attack" then why were the other 12 families excluded from it?

And did Trump attend the 1st anniversary "official ceremony?" Or the 2nd anniversary "official ceremony?" The answer is no, because there was no such "official ceremony" and more to the point, because it wasn't an election year and Trump didn't give a shit because it only meant something to him if he could use it as a political stunt.

And, it's very well known he wears rosary beads on that wrist with that watch but they may be above or below where the watch band is, and either way are typically hidden by his shirt cuff.



It's YOU who is "just so wrong."

You have repeated that only one Abbey Gate Family participated in the Wreath Laying ceremony and the other 12 were “excluded.”

Source?
Citation?

Where are you getting that information from?

Face it. Trump has angered many people with his sacrilege.

The rabbit hole of the “ceremony” details are irrelevant.

You are just making crap up.

If the details are irrelevant, then why are you lying about the Wreath Laying Ceremony?

Why was only one family involved in this supposed "Wreath Laying Ceremony?" Why wasn't Trump there for the 1st or 2nd Anniversary? Why weren't Arlington rules being followed if it was supposedly an official Arlington ceremony?

The answer is that this was NOT an official Wreath Laying Ceremony. It was a political stunt, orchestrated by a family member who spoke at the RNC convention, meant to try and cast shame on the Biden admin just 2 months before the election. Though, as we all know, Trump was responsible for setting up and sabotaging the Afghanistan withdrawal before Biden even got into office.

A wreath was laid by the family of Sgt Nicole Gee; a wreath was laid for the Abbey Gate 13.

Both wreath laying ceremonies were official US Army Wreath laying ceremonies.


Sgt Nicole Gee’s family had to secure private help (outside of the DOD) to transport her body to Arlington for her burial in ANC.


In a message Wednesday to The Sacramento Bee, Christy Shamblin, Gee’s mother-in-law, said the family was fortunate to have the help of Honoring Our Fallen, a nonprofit organization, which found a private pilot who donated the transport, sparing them the hefty price tag.

“Not every family was so fortunate,” she said.

Honoring Our Fallen supports “the dignified transfer, arrival, and burial of fallen active duty military and first responders,” Laura Herzog, the nonprofit’s founder and CEO, said in a statement sent to The Bee Thursday.

“To avoid having Sgt. Gee’s remains be transported via a commercial airline, I personally secured an in-kind donation of a flight in a private aircraft,” Herzog said.

“No monies were exchanged or expected to be paid by our organization or the family. This was a donation made by a veteran who donated this service to us to assist us in honoring Sgt. Gee,” she added.

The Pentagon official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that “Marine Corps casualty assistance officers were in direct communication with Sgt. Gee’s family, and they remain in contact today.” The official told McClatchyDC, The Bee’s Washington bureau, that “the Marine Corps stayed consistent with its policy that all costs associated with internment be borne by the government.”

“The Marine Corps takes very seriously the transfer of remains of our Marines,” the official said, “they never leave a Marine behind, and they care for the families of their fallen Marines.”


After her death, the Department of Defense originally paid for Gee’s remains to be transported to her family in Roseville, where a local funeral was held for her. However, the department later “declined to cover the cost of transportation to her final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery.”

“Gold Star families have given too much to be treated so poorly,” the Rocklin Republican wrote.

https://amp.sacbee.com/news/local/article277683098.html

If "official" (no idea how you define that or verify that) then why only one of the dead get a personal wreath? And if "official" why were they so careless about photographing the headstone of another soldier with no connection to the bombing, which is EXPLICITLY against the rules?

There were two wreaths laid; one for Sgt. Gee and another for the Abbey Gate 13.

The grave markers are close and half of another marker was in a photograph. If you think that is a tragedy you should read about what happened to the Abbey Gate 13 and remember their faces and names. They didn’t have to die as Biden had multiple warnings about a an imminent terrorist attack at Hamid Kharzi airport.

It's unfortunate that Trump released so many Taliban in advance, then. At least he was there to give a "thumb-up, I did it" sign.

#1- ISIS set off the suicide bomb that killed and injured our Military members and the people trying to flee Afghanistan. ISIS members were imprisoned in AFG, and as the country fell, they escaped from the prisons.

#2- The Taliban were in control of AFG even before all Americans and other foreigners left AFG. They were outside the airport waiting for us to leave. They “assisted” in crowd control by emptying a clip from their AK-47s into the crowd when ever the situation got too chaotic. Our troops had to stay inside the wire and watch the Taliban kill innocent people whenever they felt like it.



After the fall of Kabul to the Taliban on 15 August 2021, Hamid Karzai International Airport was the only way out of Afghanistan.[20] Security concerns grew after hundreds of members of the Islamic State – Khorasan Province escaped from jails at Bagram and Pul-e-Charkhi.[21][22] On 16 August, the Pentagon warned the US Congress about the increased threat of a terrorist attack by ISIS following the fall of Kabul the previous day.[23][24] US President Joe Biden received multiple reports of a possible attack during the week preceding the attack,[25] and warned on 22 August in remarks from the White House that the longer US troops remained in the country, the greater the threat that ISIS would pose to American personnel and civilians near the airport.[26]
Hours before the attack, US diplomats in Kabul warned American citizens to leave the airport because of security threats.[27] United Kingdom Armed Forces Minister James Heappey had also warned of a highly credible threat of attack at the airport by ISIS militants.[28][29] The embassies of the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia also warned about high-security threats involving the airport.[30]
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Kabul_airport_attack


ISIS–K, who claimed responsibility for the attack, named the bomber as Abdul Rahman al-Logari.[6][8] The Taliban had fought against IS–KP previously,[40] and were helping the US forces to maintain security at the airport.[41]

(By emptying their AKs into the crowd intermittently, neato.)


US President Biden made a public address following the attack. He honored the US service members who were killed, calling them "heroes" and saying they lost their lives "in the service of liberty", and also expressed deep sorrow for the Afghan victims. Biden said to those who wished harm upon the US that "we will hunt you down and make you pay".[52] The United Kingdom government also said that they will continue Operation Pitting, the evacuation from Afghanistan.[53]

Washington(CNN) Approximately $7 billion of military equipment the US transferred to the Afghan government over the course of 16 years was left behind in Afghanistan after the US completed its withdrawal from the country in August, according to a congressionally mandated report from the US Department of Defense viewed by CNN.

This equipment is now in a country that is controlled by the very enemy the US was trying to drive out over the past two decades: the Taliban. The Defense Department has no plans to return to Afghanistan to "retrieve or destroy" the equipment, reads the report, which has been provided to Congress.

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/04/27/politics/afghan-weapons-left-behind

U.S. arms left in Afghanistan are turning up in a different conflict
Since falling into the hands of the Taliban, some of the weapons have been seized from militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir in what experts say could be just the start of their global journey.

SRINAGAR, India — Weapons left behind by U.S. forces during the withdrawal from Afghanistan are surfacing in another conflict, further arming militants in the disputed South Asian region of Kashmir in what experts say could be just the start of the weapons’ global journey.

Authorities in Indian-controlled Kashmir tell NBC News that militants trying to annex the region for Pakistan are carrying M4s, M16s and other U.S.-made arms and ammunition that have rarely been seen in the 30-year conflict. A major reason, they say, is a regional flood of U.S.-funded weapons that fell into the hands of the Taliban when U.S.-led NATO forces withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna67134

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the Gold Star moms was just on Fox and said that Harris and Biden were invited but they didn’t respond. DP.

That seems unlikely enough that it makes me really wonder who sent the invitation, as well as when, where and how. If the invitations were sent via whatever the proper channels might be, it’s difficult to imagine that both offices wouldn’t have at least sent letters expressing regrets. Both offices must get hundreds of invitations each week. A response would have been routine. So, definitely something I’m curious about. Was a letter sent to the right offices, a few months in advance? Did someone send a tweet a few days ahead of the event? This all seems quite odd.

My theory is that some Trump aide heard the dad’s speech at the RNC and cooked up the ceremony. I doubt that the families had the wherewithal to secure honor guards to attend. The date of the “invitations” will support me on this. An acting president can’t always drop everything to attend a ceremony, and if he did, it would imply that he should attend constant anniversaries of honorable deaths. President Biden attended their honorable transfer three years ago at Dover. When the president gazed at rosary beads he had wrapped around his wrist, MAGA media exploded with the accusation that he was looking at his watch.

You are wrong. The date of the ceremony was the actual anniversary of the bombing.

Arlington provides the Military personnel to support the ceremony.

You are just so wrong.



I don’t see rosary beads.

How come only the one family was involved in "the ceremony" and not all 13 families? If it's supposedly some kind of "official ceremony for the anniversary of the attack" then why were the other 12 families excluded from it?

And did Trump attend the 1st anniversary "official ceremony?" Or the 2nd anniversary "official ceremony?" The answer is no, because there was no such "official ceremony" and more to the point, because it wasn't an election year and Trump didn't give a shit because it only meant something to him if he could use it as a political stunt.

And, it's very well known he wears rosary beads on that wrist with that watch but they may be above or below where the watch band is, and either way are typically hidden by his shirt cuff.



It's YOU who is "just so wrong."

You have repeated that only one Abbey Gate Family participated in the Wreath Laying ceremony and the other 12 were “excluded.”

Source?
Citation?

Where are you getting that information from?

Face it. Trump has angered many people with his sacrilege.

The rabbit hole of the “ceremony” details are irrelevant.

You are just making crap up.

If the details are irrelevant, then why are you lying about the Wreath Laying Ceremony?

Why was only one family involved in this supposed "Wreath Laying Ceremony?" Why wasn't Trump there for the 1st or 2nd Anniversary? Why weren't Arlington rules being followed if it was supposedly an official Arlington ceremony?

The answer is that this was NOT an official Wreath Laying Ceremony. It was a political stunt, orchestrated by a family member who spoke at the RNC convention, meant to try and cast shame on the Biden admin just 2 months before the election. Though, as we all know, Trump was responsible for setting up and sabotaging the Afghanistan withdrawal before Biden even got into office.

A wreath was laid by the family of Sgt Nicole Gee; a wreath was laid for the Abbey Gate 13.

Both wreath laying ceremonies were official US Army Wreath laying ceremonies.


Sgt Nicole Gee’s family had to secure private help (outside of the DOD) to transport her body to Arlington for her burial in ANC.


In a message Wednesday to The Sacramento Bee, Christy Shamblin, Gee’s mother-in-law, said the family was fortunate to have the help of Honoring Our Fallen, a nonprofit organization, which found a private pilot who donated the transport, sparing them the hefty price tag.

“Not every family was so fortunate,” she said.

Honoring Our Fallen supports “the dignified transfer, arrival, and burial of fallen active duty military and first responders,” Laura Herzog, the nonprofit’s founder and CEO, said in a statement sent to The Bee Thursday.

“To avoid having Sgt. Gee’s remains be transported via a commercial airline, I personally secured an in-kind donation of a flight in a private aircraft,” Herzog said.

“No monies were exchanged or expected to be paid by our organization or the family. This was a donation made by a veteran who donated this service to us to assist us in honoring Sgt. Gee,” she added.

The Pentagon official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that “Marine Corps casualty assistance officers were in direct communication with Sgt. Gee’s family, and they remain in contact today.” The official told McClatchyDC, The Bee’s Washington bureau, that “the Marine Corps stayed consistent with its policy that all costs associated with internment be borne by the government.”

“The Marine Corps takes very seriously the transfer of remains of our Marines,” the official said, “they never leave a Marine behind, and they care for the families of their fallen Marines.”


After her death, the Department of Defense originally paid for Gee’s remains to be transported to her family in Roseville, where a local funeral was held for her. However, the department later “declined to cover the cost of transportation to her final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery.”

“Gold Star families have given too much to be treated so poorly,” the Rocklin Republican wrote.

https://amp.sacbee.com/news/local/article277683098.html

If "official" (no idea how you define that or verify that) then why only one of the dead get a personal wreath? And if "official" why were they so careless about photographing the headstone of another soldier with no connection to the bombing, which is EXPLICITLY against the rules?

There were two wreaths laid; one for Sgt. Gee and another for the Abbey Gate 13.

The grave markers are close and half of another marker was in a photograph. If you think that is a tragedy you should read about what happened to the Abbey Gate 13 and remember their faces and names. They didn’t have to die as Biden had multiple warnings about a an imminent terrorist attack at Hamid Kharzi airport.

It's unfortunate that Trump released so many Taliban in advance, then. At least he was there to give a "thumb-up, I did it" sign.

Taking credit for his work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now Trump is blaming Kamala for his Arlington misdeeds. I’m just waiting for him to blame Kamala for his seeking 5 deferments for bone spurs to get out of Vietnam service.

It was a made up story by Comrade Kamala and her misinformation squad,” Trump posted on his Truth Social website using the sobriquet he has coined for Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.

He just makes up random garbage on an hourly basis and tries to spin it as truth.

I've seen his Truth Social feed and I wish it was only hourly.

I really don't know how he's a candidate for President. He's getting less sane by the week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the Gold Star moms was just on Fox and said that Harris and Biden were invited but they didn’t respond. DP.

That seems unlikely enough that it makes me really wonder who sent the invitation, as well as when, where and how. If the invitations were sent via whatever the proper channels might be, it’s difficult to imagine that both offices wouldn’t have at least sent letters expressing regrets. Both offices must get hundreds of invitations each week. A response would have been routine. So, definitely something I’m curious about. Was a letter sent to the right offices, a few months in advance? Did someone send a tweet a few days ahead of the event? This all seems quite odd.

My theory is that some Trump aide heard the dad’s speech at the RNC and cooked up the ceremony. I doubt that the families had the wherewithal to secure honor guards to attend. The date of the “invitations” will support me on this. An acting president can’t always drop everything to attend a ceremony, and if he did, it would imply that he should attend constant anniversaries of honorable deaths. President Biden attended their honorable transfer three years ago at Dover. When the president gazed at rosary beads he had wrapped around his wrist, MAGA media exploded with the accusation that he was looking at his watch.

You are wrong. The date of the ceremony was the actual anniversary of the bombing.

Arlington provides the Military personnel to support the ceremony.

You are just so wrong.



I don’t see rosary beads.

How come only the one family was involved in "the ceremony" and not all 13 families? If it's supposedly some kind of "official ceremony for the anniversary of the attack" then why were the other 12 families excluded from it?

And did Trump attend the 1st anniversary "official ceremony?" Or the 2nd anniversary "official ceremony?" The answer is no, because there was no such "official ceremony" and more to the point, because it wasn't an election year and Trump didn't give a shit because it only meant something to him if he could use it as a political stunt.

And, it's very well known he wears rosary beads on that wrist with that watch but they may be above or below where the watch band is, and either way are typically hidden by his shirt cuff.



It's YOU who is "just so wrong."

You have repeated that only one Abbey Gate Family participated in the Wreath Laying ceremony and the other 12 were “excluded.”

Source?
Citation?

Where are you getting that information from?

Face it. Trump has angered many people with his sacrilege.

The rabbit hole of the “ceremony” details are irrelevant.

You are just making crap up.

If the details are irrelevant, then why are you lying about the Wreath Laying Ceremony?

Why was only one family involved in this supposed "Wreath Laying Ceremony?" Why wasn't Trump there for the 1st or 2nd Anniversary? Why weren't Arlington rules being followed if it was supposedly an official Arlington ceremony?

The answer is that this was NOT an official Wreath Laying Ceremony. It was a political stunt, orchestrated by a family member who spoke at the RNC convention, meant to try and cast shame on the Biden admin just 2 months before the election. Though, as we all know, Trump was responsible for setting up and sabotaging the Afghanistan withdrawal before Biden even got into office.

A wreath was laid by the family of Sgt Nicole Gee; a wreath was laid for the Abbey Gate 13.

Both wreath laying ceremonies were official US Army Wreath laying ceremonies.


Sgt Nicole Gee’s family had to secure private help (outside of the DOD) to transport her body to Arlington for her burial in ANC.


In a message Wednesday to The Sacramento Bee, Christy Shamblin, Gee’s mother-in-law, said the family was fortunate to have the help of Honoring Our Fallen, a nonprofit organization, which found a private pilot who donated the transport, sparing them the hefty price tag.

“Not every family was so fortunate,” she said.

Honoring Our Fallen supports “the dignified transfer, arrival, and burial of fallen active duty military and first responders,” Laura Herzog, the nonprofit’s founder and CEO, said in a statement sent to The Bee Thursday.

“To avoid having Sgt. Gee’s remains be transported via a commercial airline, I personally secured an in-kind donation of a flight in a private aircraft,” Herzog said.

“No monies were exchanged or expected to be paid by our organization or the family. This was a donation made by a veteran who donated this service to us to assist us in honoring Sgt. Gee,” she added.

The Pentagon official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that “Marine Corps casualty assistance officers were in direct communication with Sgt. Gee’s family, and they remain in contact today.” The official told McClatchyDC, The Bee’s Washington bureau, that “the Marine Corps stayed consistent with its policy that all costs associated with internment be borne by the government.”

“The Marine Corps takes very seriously the transfer of remains of our Marines,” the official said, “they never leave a Marine behind, and they care for the families of their fallen Marines.”


After her death, the Department of Defense originally paid for Gee’s remains to be transported to her family in Roseville, where a local funeral was held for her. However, the department later “declined to cover the cost of transportation to her final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery.”

“Gold Star families have given too much to be treated so poorly,” the Rocklin Republican wrote.

https://amp.sacbee.com/news/local/article277683098.html

If "official" (no idea how you define that or verify that) then why only one of the dead get a personal wreath? And if "official" why were they so careless about photographing the headstone of another soldier with no connection to the bombing, which is EXPLICITLY against the rules?

There were two wreaths laid; one for Sgt. Gee and another for the Abbey Gate 13.

The grave markers are close and half of another marker was in a photograph. If you think that is a tragedy you should read about what happened to the Abbey Gate 13 and remember their faces and names. They didn’t have to die as Biden had multiple warnings about a an imminent terrorist attack at Hamid Kharzi airport.

No. The original photo had the entirety of the marker of the Green Beret who served eight combat tours. Part of the attempted cleanup was to cut out part of the group and part of the marker.

But still. Trump was wrong. It’s nobody’s fault but his own.

Yet another unforced error.

How is that people are defending this putz?