Quotes
Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside,
an army spokesperson said in the statement They called the withdrawal in Afghanistan a success, and for us, it was just sadness and a disgrace.”
Coral Doolittle, the mother of Corporal Humberto A Sanchez, blamed Harris and the Biden administration, saying Kamala, your statement is nothing more than a political spin to help you look better in your presidential campaign against Donald Trump. You have never walked a single day in our shoes. Our kids were murdered because of your administration, and you are partly to blame.”
Jaclyn Schmitz, the mother of Lance-Corporal Jared Schmitz, said in a video We asked the Trump team to take the videos, take the pictures of our time there.”
Darin Hoover, the father of Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover, said in a video Neither the families nor President Trump violated cemetery regulations or policies,
the Trump campaign sent out a statement via Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, an army veteran and Trump supporter, on Saturday Disgusting. Donald Trump, the grave markers veterans and military families drop a knee to are not your political props,
the narrator in a fiery ad by progressive veterans group VoteVets said You know what really is unfortunate
Allies of the former president also jumped to defend him on the Sunday morning political shows, with Senator Lindsey Graham saying President Trump was invited by us, the Gold Star families, to attend the solemn ceremonies commemorating the three-year anniversary of our children’s deaths,
There are many ways that we as a nation and our leaders can observe the third anniversary of Abbey Gate,
These families, Gold Star families, whose children died because of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ incompetence invited [Trump] to the cemetery and they asked him to take those photos ...You know who the families also invited? Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Where were they? Joe Biden was sitting at a beach. Kamala Harris was sitting at her mansion in Washington D.C."
Cotton was asked about the incident on NBC News' "Meet the Press" Sunday and told moderator Kristen Welker President Biden and Harris, I heard, were invited by some of these family members. They not only didn’t come. They didn’t even respond to that invitation."
Gabbard echoed Cotton, telling CNN on Sunday I don't know who did it, and it could have been them. It could have been the parents. It could have been somebody,
I thought they already had. I was informed that they had come to an agreement they could bring a camera there. And as far as I know, in the public statements I have seen from the Army is that the matter is closed,
I checked with the campaign on this question, and they have exchanges with the officials at Arlington Cemetery. They were approved to bring a camera there to document this historic and momentous day that should not be forgotten by any American,
Gabbard told host Dana Bash Do you think that the campaign will release that communication that you're talking about?"
Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption. The incident was reported to the JBM-HH police department, but the employee subsequently decided not to press charges. Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed,
Did the Trump campaign fail to honor her wishes, their wishes?"
No, Kristen. They honored the wishes of the 13 families whose children died at Abbey Gate,
When you take a photo of your loved one then other headstones are gonna be present as well,
We hope that those visiting this sacred site understand that these were real people who sacrificed for our freedom and that they are honored and respected accordingly."
Marckesano's sister, Michele, told The New York Times on Wednesday