The City of Murrieta invites the public to a remembrance ceremony honoring the 13 service members who lost their lives on August 26, 2021, in Kabul, Afghanistan. The 13 service members were from three military branches and included one Army Soldier, 11 Marines, and one Navy Corpsman. The tribute will take place at the Town Square Park Amphitheater (13 Town Square, Murrieta) on Tuesday, August 31, beginning at 6 p.m. and will include an honor guard ceremony, invocation, bell ringing tribute, and remarks by local elected officials.
Murrieta Mayor Scott Vinton expressed his sincere condolences on behalf of the entire City Council. “While no words can bring these dedicated service members back home, it is our hope that by gathering as a community, we can find solace and share our support with those impacted by these tragic events. It has especially affected our local community as two of those we lost are from Riverside County. We want to come together to show our support for the families who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” shared Mayor Vinton.
The Department of Defense shared the names of those killed, including 10 service members assigned to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and three service members from Riverside and San Bernardino counties:
- Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee
- Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah
- Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts
- Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California
- Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California
- Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska
- Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California
- Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio
If there are questions about the remembrance ceremony, please contact Dominique Samario, the City of Murrieta’s public information officer, at [email protected] or 951-461-6009.