Kamala Harris' absence at memorials for soldiers killed in botched Afghan withdrawal raises eyebrows

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President Kamala Harris issued a statement to honor the 13 fallen US soldiers during the Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021, but her noticeable absence from public memorials or events on their third death anniversary led to disapproval on social media.

The Democratic presidential nominee, in an early morning statement on Monday, August 26, mourned the 13 soldiers who were killed in a terrorist attack at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport's Abbey Gate on August 26, 2021.

She urged Americans to "come together as one nation to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice three years ago." 

She also shared her statement on X (formerly Twitter).

"Today and everyday, I mourn and honor them. My prayers are with their families and loved ones.  My heart breaks for their pain and their loss.  These 13 devoted patriots represent the best of America, putting our beloved nation and their fellow Americans above themselves and deploying into danger to keep their fellow citizens safe," Harris wrote.

Kamala Harris and Joe Biden absent from public memorials as Trump visits Arlington

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan was one of the first major events that shook the Biden administration. Nevertheless, President Joe Biden was also conspicuously absent from any public ceremonies to honor the 13 fallen soldiers.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, who once allegedly made an infamous remark about US service members killed in wars as "suckers" and "losers," attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Families of service members killed in Afghanistan also joined the GOP presidential nominee, according to Fox News.

Biden, who kept a low profile since his speech at last week's Democratic National Convention, is currently at his Delaware beach home and has no events scheduled for this week.

Biden also followed Harris by issuing a statement without taking part in any memorial ceremony on the third anniversary of the death of the 13 US soldiers.

"These 13 Americans—and the many more that were wounded—were patriots in the highest sense. Some were born the year the war in Afghanistan started. Some were on their second or third tour. But all raised their hand to serve a cause greater than themselves—risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, Allies, and Afghan partners," Biden's statement that included the names of the 13 soldiers read.

He added that "a sacred debt" was owed to them and their families, which can never be repaid fully.

Besides the 13 US soldiers who lost their lives in their attempt to defend the Kabul airport during the withdrawal, hundreds of Americans and many more Afghan allies were left behind as the Taliban took over Afghanistan three years ago.

Harris earlier revealed that she was the "last person in the room" with Biden before the president decided to withdraw US soldiers. Later, she told the reporters that she was "comfortable" with the eventually operation.

White House dismisses questions about Biden and Harris' absence at events to honor fallen soldiers

Media bombarded White House national security communications adviser John Kirby with questions regarding the absence of the president and the vice president at events to honor the 13 soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

One reporter asked whether they "did not need to host or attend public events in the way that former President Donald Trump did today."

"You don't have to look very far at the president and the first lady's track record and the vice president's track record, over the last three and a half years to see how deeply devoted they are to the men and women of our military and to our veterans and to their families. Everything from Joining Forces to the Pact Act," Kirby replied.

He noted that Trump attended the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery after a personal invitation from the families of the service members and added that US leaders could honor the soldiers in "many ways" without "a lot of fanfare."

Internet criticizes Harris for tweet honoring 13 fallen US soldiers without attending a public event

Netizens disapproved of Harris' tweet on the third death anniversary of the soldiers due to her noticeable absence from any public events to honor them.

"Why weren’t you at Arlington for their memorial service today? You and Joe made the decisions that killed them The least you could do is show up Not tweet," a user said.

"Unfortunately, your post exists in the context of you and Joe being responsible for this tragedy. Trump is at their memorial service right now btw. Where are you, Miss VP?" another remarked.

"'Let us come together' You tweet instead of showing up for them in Arlington Actions will always speak louder than words, especially words written by a PR team. Disgusting," read a third response.

"But you couldn’t bother to show up at their ceremony, huh?" added a fourthy user.

"Has plenty of time to post on X Didn’t have time to show up at Arlington National Cemetery to honor our soldiers needlessly sacrificed in Afghanistan by her administration," someone else opined.

"Why didn't you attend the memorial? Virtue signalling on X doesn't make up for the lives you lost with your bad decisions," an individual added.

"She simply wasn’t interested in going," another chimed in.

"Too lazy to get off your back and go pay respects?" read one remark.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.