The Afghan Thirteen 
The pulse is weak, 
life's last vapor vanishes. 
Death grins when 
breathing ceased. 

Thanatos’ grim triumph- 
of the Afghan thirteen, 
fallen, betrayed from within, 
and left behind. 

A country's demise 
at the hands of a few. 
America's heart bleeds.
They will not be forgotten. 

Hope hurts. Hope heals! 
Hope shatters the grip of hate- 
the past and present repeat. 
1776 to Aug. 26, 2021.

In memory of the thirtenn men and women who died in service of our country and who fought to defend the freedom loving Afghan people. 
 
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. His military occupational specialty was 0369, infantry unit leader.


Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California, a rifleman, decorated marine.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California, decorated marine.

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

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




Short Version: The Afghan Thirteen by RL Brown 

Death's grim triumph-of the fallen thirteen, betrayed, left behind.
Our soldiers' demise at the hands of a few won't be forgotten.

A Call to Arms:
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Arms yours self with the Gospel; it is time to fight.
How? Prayer and fasting is the key to winning this fight. 
Find your prayer closet, your church pew, and get on your knees. 

2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.