Governor Signs Timken, Roegner Bill Designating August 26th As Abbey Gate Remembrance Day
COLUMBUS—Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 244, sponsored by State Senator Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) and State Senator Jane Timken (R-Jackson Township), which designates August 26th as Abbey Gate Remembrance Day.
“This bill is important to the family of Maxton Soviak, and the families of the twelve other fallen American service men and women," said Senator Timken. "I was honored to sponsor Senate Bill 244 with Senator Roegner. SB 244 ensures that the thirteen American heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation are honored and remembered for their heroism in the final days of the war in Afghanistan.”
In 2021, during the American evacuation of Afghanistan, a crowd of both Afghan and American citizens attempted to escape the imminent Taliban capture of Kabul. U.S. forces established a checkpoint at Abbey Gate on the perimeter of the Hamid Karzai International Airport. As U.S. Forces checked visas, passports, and other identification of evacuees, the terrorist group ISIS-K launched an attack on the airport killing 169 Afghan civilians and injuring 150 more. Tragically, 13 U.S. troops lost their lives protecting the ongoing evacuation operations. Their names are:
- Staff Sergeant Darin T. Hoover, USMC
- Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo, USMC
- Sergeant Nicole L. Gee, USMC
- Corporal Hunter Lopez, USMC
- Corporal Daegan W. Page, USMC
- Corporal Humberto A. Sanchez, USMC
- Lance Corporal David L. Espinoza, USMC
- Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz, USMC
- Lance Corporal Rylee J. McCollum, USMC
- Lance Corporal Dylan R. Merola, USMC
- Lance Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui, USMC
- Staff Sergeant Ryan C. Knauss, US Army
- Petty Officer Third Class Maxton W. Soviak, USN – An Ohioan
“Senate Bill 244 ensures that the bravery and sacrifice of the thirteen Americans lost at Abbey Gate are never forgotten," added Senator Roegner. "By designating Abbey Gate Remembrance Day, Ohio honors the service members who gave their lives in service of the nation and reminds future generations of the courage displayed in one of the most difficult moments of the withdrawal from Afghanistan.”
Senate Bill 244 was signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine at a ceremonial bill signing on Tuesday, March 31st.
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