ESCONDIDO, Cal. – At a Congressional forum on Monday, Gold Star families of soldiers killed during the U.S. exit from Afghanistan in 2021 said they want answers, and they want heads to roll.
The hearing was hosted by Rep. Darrel Issa (R-CA), according to FOX News, so that the family members of those fallen could get their voices heard.
Kelly Barnett, mother of Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, spoke about who her son was, and who others were.
“I’m going to be brave and tell you about my kid. He’s an amazing kid. And I want you to know that I am not a victim. We’re not victims. We’re parents to some mighty heroes. I want you to know that,” Barnett said, according to FOX News.
FOX News reports the families of the fallen were subsequently “told lies, given incomplete reports, incorrect reports, total disrespect,” the grieving mother said.
Taylor’s father, Darren Hoover, wanted Pres. Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Mark Milley all to to resign. Hoover, though, used stronger words in a message directly to Pres. Biden.
“Be a grown a** man. Admit to your mistakes. Learn from them so that this doesn’t happen ever, ever again,” said Hoover. “You all need to resign immediately. Our sons, daughters have more integrity in their little toes than every one of them combined,” he added.
According to FOX News, Issa apologized for not having the forum sooner.
“The Department of Defense expresses our deepest condolences to the Gold Star Families who lost loved ones during the tragic bombing at Abbey Gate. We are forever grateful for their service, sacrifice, and committed efforts during the evacuation operations. We also commend the historic and monumental efforts of all our service men and women who served honorably during the withdrawal period from Afghanistan,” said a Defense Department statement.
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