Gold star parents of 31-year-old Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover, Darren and Kelly, recently shared their experiences and thoughts about the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. During the withdrawal, a suicide bomber from ISIS-K attacked the Abbey Gate outside the airport, resulting in the death of Taylor and several other U.S. servicemembers.
Taylor, who had been on his third deployment to Afghanistan and had been inspired to become a Marine since the age of 6, wore a September 11th bracelet on his wrist throughout his deployments. According to his parents, Taylor felt supported by former President Trump, reenlisting under his presidency because he believed the president had his back.
During an interview, Kelly expressed her belief that Taylor recognized the mismanagement of the withdrawal, stating that he expressed his opinion that the upper command cared little for the troops. Darren added that the communication they received regarding their son's death was abysmal, with incorrect and misleading reports from the Department of Defense and Marine Corps.
The couple criticized President Biden, who referred to the withdrawal as an 'extraordinary success' attributed to the military's skill and bravery. Kelly, however, referred to President Biden as a coward and held him responsible for her son's death. She called for his resignation and voiced support for Trump, believing he would have handled the situation better.
Darren, too, expressed his support for Trump and indicated that he would be the clear choice for the 2024 election. He emphasized that elections have consequences and that Trump, in his view, cared deeply about the country, the military, and the families of fallen soldiers.
The couple's sentiments echoed the grief and frustration felt by other families who lost loved ones in the attack. They called for accountability and expressed a desire for their son's sacrifice to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The interview concluded with a tribute to Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover and a heartfelt thanks to Darren and Kelly for sharing their story. The parents' strength and willingness to speak out shed light on the sacrifices made by service members and the impact of military actions on families. The article concluded by expressing continued support for the families of all 13 soldiers who lost their lives in the attack at the Abbey Gate.
