According to a report by Fox News on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, Gold Star mom Paula Knauss Selph has voiced her deep frustration and sorrow on the third anniversary of the tragic terrorist attack at Kabul airport in Afghanistan, which claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members, including her son, Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss. Speaking on “America Reports,” Selph criticized the Biden administration for what she perceives as a lack of accountability and empathy regarding the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, which has left many grieving families without closure.
Selph, reflecting on the painful loss, expressed that the botched withdrawal, which led to the deadly attack, has not only caused immense grief for the families involved but has also severely damaged the United States’ standing on the global stage. She echoed sentiments expressed by former President Donald Trump, who addressed the nation earlier that day, lamenting the loss of respect that the U.S. once commanded internationally. “We lost a lot of credibility in our nation and in our world powers,” Selph agreed, adding, “The only way we will gain it back is if we become a world power again.”
In a poignant moment, Trump laid wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery to honor the soldiers who lost their lives in the Kabul attack, including Selph’s son. Following the ceremony, Trump personally called Selph to offer his condolences and share his sorrow at the need for such a commemoration. Selph revealed that during their conversation, Trump reassured her that there are still strong leaders in the nation who will rise to the occasion when necessary, a sentiment that brought her some comfort amid her grief.
The memory of the Kabul attack and the aftermath of the Afghanistan withdrawal continues to evoke strong emotions among Gold Star families, who feel that the current administration has not adequately acknowledged the sacrifices of their loved ones. Selph, in particular, has been vocal about the lack of an apology or accountability from President Biden, emphasizing that the situation demands more than just words; it requires genuine acknowledgment of the leadership failures that led to the tragedy. report from Politico.
In a symbolic gesture of recognition, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the Congressional Gold Medal would be awarded to the families of those who died in the Kabul attack. Selph responded to the news with a sense of pride, stating that the decision “brings honor” not only to the 13 grieving families but also to the nation as a whole. She affirmed that the memory of the fallen would not be forgotten and that their sacrifice would continue to be honored.
Vice President Kamala Harris also issued a statement on the anniversary, listing the names of the fallen and pledging to honor their service and sacrifice. While she expressed her own sorrow for the families’ pain, Harris defended the Biden administration’s decision to end America’s involvement in Afghanistan, calling it a “courageous and right decision.”
However, the administration’s actions continue to be met with criticism from other Gold Star families. Shana Chappell, another grieving mother, voiced her belief that the current state of the country is not what her son, who died in the attack, fought to protect. She placed the blame squarely on the Biden administration, stating, “The Biden administration is 100% at fault for why my son lost his life.” Chappell’s remarks underscore the deep dissatisfaction and heartbreak that still resonate among those who lost loved ones in the final days of America’s longest war.
