Rep. Mike Levin On Camp Pendleton Marines Killed In Afghanistan

OCEANSIDE, CA — U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) issued a statement today on the Camp Pendleton Marines killed in the terrorist attack in Kabul.

“Chrissy and I are devastated as we learn more about the Marines from Camp Pendleton who were killed in the terrorist attack in Kabul, and we are praying for their loved ones. These Marines are heroes who were saving lives and protecting their fellow Americans and Afghan allies. Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. As our community of military families reels from this loss, I know we will remain resolute in our noble mission to evacuate Americans, our allies, and innocent Afghans. As for the terrorists responsible for their deaths, we must hunt them down and make them pay, as the president has promised."

Earlier today, Levin issued a separate statement on the situation in Afghanistan and calls for an investigation starting with the Bush-Cheney Administration onward through the events of the last several months.

Yesterday, 13 U.S. servicemembers made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their fellow Americans and our Afghan allies. My deepest sympathy goes out to their loved ones, as well as the Afghan civilians who were killed in this heinous terrorist attack. I pray the families of the fallen and injured servicemembers can find some small measure of peace in knowing they helped save countless lives as part of the evacuation effort. The terrorists responsible for this attack must pay for their actions.
The American servicemembers in Kabul – including many who deployed from Camp Pendleton – are conducting a vital mission in extraordinarily difficult circumstances with incredible courage and selflessness. They are risking their own lives to protect their fellow Americans, our Afghan allies, and thousands of men, women, and children who are at risk of violence. I am proud they have evacuated more than 100,000 people in recent weeks.
It’s critical that we continue to evacuate as many of our Afghan allies as possible, particularly women and children who are most at risk from violence, regardless of any arbitrary deadline. My office has worked with many constituents to help connect them with State Department officials who can help get their loved ones out of the country, and we will continue to do that important work. Any constituent who needs assistance getting their loved ones out of the country should call my office immediately. My office will also do everything we can to help resettle Afghan refugees, and I look forward to welcoming any Afghans who arrive in our community with open arms.
It is clear that a comprehensive investigation is needed of the strategic decisions made with regard to Afghanistan from the Bush-Cheney Administration onward. I welcome Congressional hearings on the events of the last several months, as well as the many decisions over the last 20 years that brought us to this point. The American people deserve answers and accountability from their leadership, and I intend to help provide that.

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