WASHINGTON—Heritage Foundation President Kay C. James released the following statement Thursday following the death and injury of U.S. service members in Afghanistan who were securing the Kabul airport:  

“My colleagues and I at The Heritage Foundation have watched the growing chaos and confusion in Afghanistan in recent days with sadness, anger, and concern. We have seen Americans stranded behind enemy lines. We have witnessed thousands of Afghans fleeing toward U.S. positions in a desperate attempt to escape the Taliban, even clinging to departing American aircraft. And now, our nation has paid the ultimate price with the loss of U.S. service members while others are suffering serious wounds after cowardly attacks. Our hearts are broken. 

 

“Heritage is blessed to have numerous veterans on our staff—men and women who know what it means to wear the uniform. We are all praying for the families of these service members and for the soul of our nation today.  

 

“We all grieve together as a nation right now. We should honor and remember those who lost their lives today while also committing ourselves to the mission for which these service members gave their lives. We cannot abandon our citizens or our partners to torture and death at the hands of terrorists. The Biden administration must ensure that every American trying to leave can leave and that we maintain faith with the many Afghans who stood beside the U.S. for two decades. 

 

“For those who served in Afghanistan at any point in the last 20 years, please know that Americans honor your service. Your sacrifice was not in vain.”