Rescue veterans mark four years since the Afghan withdrawal

Reflections on the Afghan Withdrawal

On the fourth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the tragic bombing at a monastery that resulted in the deaths of 13 American servicemen, a veteran is sharing his experiences. Dennis Price, a special operations veteran and founder of “Heroes for Humanity,” devoted his efforts to rescuing civilians trapped in Kabul as the Taliban took control.

Price remarked, “We recall the many mistakes that have impacted countless lives on this somber anniversary of the withdrawal. Their stories are etched in blood and will be remembered throughout history. The administration turned its back on our allies, leading to chaos. While the government collapsed, it was the patriots who bore the weight of the situation.”

During the withdrawal, Price’s organization aided the first dual citizen families from Kandahar as flights began to leave. He mentioned that one family passed through the monastery gates just 45 minutes before the explosion, attributing their survival to “the grace of God.”

Teaming up with fellow veteran Chad Robichok, a retired Marine, Price braved dangerous conditions, including challenging swims across the Pansy River, to navigate past Taliban checkpoints and rescue interpreters. “It changed my life,” he said. “The system has failed, but the bravery shown by individuals who help others represents humanity’s greatest gift.”

Despite the significant civilian rescue effort, Robichok highlighted that over 17,000 individuals remained trapped just ten days later. “It feels like yesterday, and I was honored to stand alongside so many courageous Americans who tirelessly worked to evacuate as many people as possible,” he reflected, criticizing the administration for its failure to support both Americans and allies.

Retired Marine Mark “Oz” Geist, who survived the 2012 Benghazi siege, also volunteered to evacuate people from Afghanistan. He shared how, in Kabul, one could see “the best and worst of humanity.” His organization, the Shadow Warriors Project, used veteran expertise for missions that successfully chartered flights for 100 Americans, including many children.

“We lost 13 lives and left hundreds of Afghans in turmoil. I carry the faces of those I managed to save, alongside those I couldn’t,” Geist said. He viewed the withdrawal not merely as an event, but as a deep wound that serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made and the ongoing fight against tyranny.

Geist expressed trust in Defense Secretary Pete Hegses to investigate the Pentagon’s failures during the 2021 withdrawal, asserting that honor requires accountability.

Jason Redman, a retired Navy SEAL, referenced his involvement in the “Task for Pineapple,” an initiative created to facilitate evacuations through a unique communication network. He described it as a collective effort by volunteers, many of whom were veterans, working alongside the Biden administration, which he criticized as ineffective.

Redman emphasized, “The collapse of Afghanistan highlights the fragility of freedom, which must be championed for the rights of all people.” Meanwhile, U.S. Representative Cory Mills drew from his military background to undertake his rescue missions post-Kabul’s fall, aiding families stuck at Taliban checkpoints.

Mills criticized the weak leadership that ignored crucial intelligence and abandoned citizens. He expressed gratitude for what he sees as strong leadership today, praising former President Trump and Secretary Hegses for acknowledging the sacrifices made by American heroes.