Looking East: Afganistan KIA Group #1: Marines Staff Sergeant Darin T. Hoover, Marines Lance Corporal Dylan R. Merola, Marines Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz

On August 26, 2021, a suicide bombing took place at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. The bombing occurred during the evaculation of Afghanistan that took place amid the withdrawl of US and NATO forces from the country. The attack killed at least 182 people including 13 members of the United States Military: 11 marines, one soldier from the 8th Psychological Operations Group, and one Navy corpsman. Among those killed in service to their country were:

Marines Staff Sergeant Darin T. Hoover (July 24, 1990 - August 26, 2021)

Obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/arlington-va/taylor-hoover-10342834

Marines Lance Corporal Dylan R. Merola (April 23, 2001 - August 26, 2021)

Marines Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz (February 25, 2001 - August 26, 2021)

Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/stltoday/name/jared-schmitz-obituary?id=6460027