The 

Heart Strings For Heroes

TREE OF ETERNAL REMEMBRANCE

 

 

On August 26th 2021 - 13 American Military Service men & women

11 MARINES - 1 ARMY - 1 NAVY

were tragically KIA at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan by a suicide bomber

while they were searching for evacuees who were rushing to leave the

country.

This attack was the deadliest enemy strike since 2011 when a Chinook

helicopter was shot down, killing 30 US Troops.

Most of these 13 troops were in their early 20`s and sadly, they look

even younger in their pictures.

We decided to create a "everlasting" memorial for these fallen HEROES

for many reasons, the most important being that their young lives and

legacy must continue to live on long after the tragic circumstances that

unfolded on that fateful day... August 26th 2021. And must also live on

long after the news headlines fade into obscurity.

These scars will (unfortunately) live on forever with these families.

These 13 brave men & women join the countless other warriors

who have sacrificed their lives for the ongoing fight for enduring

freedom... and for that, it is OUR duty to NEVER stop saying their names,

in their HONOR and help bring healing to their families.

 

Many family members of these fallen HEROES

have not only been devastated and forever changed by the

loss of their loved ones, but are also angry at the way the whole

situation was handled by the administration & military itself.

"The commanders on the ground should have recognized this threat and

addressed it" stated Steve Nikoui (father of Marine Kareem Nikoui) 

Many other parents share this same sentiment.

 

Names of our HEROES K.I.A. - August 26th - 2021

  • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Tex.
  • Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23, of Roseville, Calif.
  • Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, 31, of Utah
  • Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tenn.
  • Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, Calif.
  • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, 20, Jackson, Wyo.
  • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
  • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, 20, of Norco, Calif.
  • Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan William-Tyler Page, 23, of Omaha
  • Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario, 25, Lawrence, Mass.
  • Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, 22, Logansport, Ind.
  • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, 20, of Wentzville, Mo.
  • Navy Hospital Corpsman Max Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio

  •  

Our eternal tribute spotlights all 13 men and women

KIA in Afghanistan Aug. 26th 2021.

The SCULPTURE itself is precision cut out of aluminum

and stainless steel to fortify its endurance to stand

 the test of time.

The PURPLE wood that is prominent under the

metal flag is actually "Purple Heart wood" that is naturally grown

with its rich, beautiful purple color... and has NOT been dyed or stained

with any color... in any way.

Purple represents the Purple Heart Medal given to those

injured or killed in combat.

The waving, scorched, METAL FLAG represents the

attack and devastation that took place on

August 26th 2021... and that our flag may it be

withered, torn and burned... our AMERICAN SPIRIT can NEVER be

 destroyed and will continue on in all its glory as a

 symbol of AMERICAN FREEDOM and resilience.

Each STAR holds the photo of every HERO KIA on Aug. 26th 2021.

Each STAR is lit up to represent the stars in the heavens that

NEVER cease to shine.

Attached to each picture of the fallen 13 HEROES

is a HEART SHAPED LOCK, engraved with each name of the fallen.

The LOCK secures that our commitment to honoring and

never forgetting each name, their service

and their ultimate sacrifice... is NEVER BROKEN. 

 

The bible verse JOHN 15:13

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his

life for his friends." Is carved into the flag to represent the LOVE that each

of these warriors had for their country and the sacrifice they

made for their fellow man.

The TREE SECTION represents the continuous life that flourishes

 with the memory and spirit of those who laid down their lives.

Inside the bottom of the TREE, our LORD JESUS CHRIST watches over and

bows his head.

The GREEN GRASS represents the grass on ALL the graves of ALL the fallen

AMERICAN HEROES laid to rest, on foreign and domestic soil.

The word VALHALLA is displayed at the base of the memorial.

The meaning of VALAHALLA is “Hall of the Fallen”

taken from Norse Mythology.

“Until Valhalla” is a common phrase amongst soldiers, which

simply means; when a warrior ends his life in a heroic battle 

he enters VALAHALLA… a sacred place for only those who

have fought and died in tough battles. This was motivation

for Viking warriors, in the middle ages, to fight until death.

 

When we created this memorial, 

our goal was have a permanent symbol

reminding us of what TRUE SACRIFICE looks & feels like

and to help heal the families left behind, reassuring them

their child will never be forgotten by a grateful nation.

We also dedicate this memorial to ALL fallen

warriors, past & present.

We are proud to announce this will be on permanent display at:

(to be announced)

 

 

The

Heart Strings For Heroes Foundation