If you heard rifle shots or cannons booming around 3 p.m. on the last Sunday afternoon in August, you might have thought Swainsboro was under attack. Actually, the guns were part of a memorial service held by the Veterans of Emanuel County. The Service of Remembrance honored 13 service members killed in the line of duty in Kabul on August 26, 2021. These young members of our military rendered the ultimate devotion to duty when an ISIS-K suicide bomber exploded a bomb at the Kabul airport during the final and controversial U. S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Even though these outstanding young service members came from all across America and are not known to us locally, the Veterans group here wanted to honor and thank them for their service and sacrifice.
During the Service of Remembrance, each name of the Service Member was called out and a bell was chimed. A banner bearing the 13 names together with 13 flags was placed on the fence at the Pine Brook Nature Park at the intersection of U.S. Hwy 80E. and Kite Hwy. The Veterans group appreciates the help and support of the Glad Garden Club and the Swainsboro Emanuel County Recreation Department in their assistance with the occasion. The Brier Creek Militia and Artillery group provided the gun and cannon salute.
May the names of these service members never be forgotten: Marine Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover; Sgt. Johanny Rosario; Sgt. Nicole L. Gee; Cpl. Hunter Lopez; Cpl. Daegan W. Page; Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez; Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza; Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz; Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum; Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola; Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui; Navy Hospitalman 3rd Class Maxton W. Soviak; and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss.
