Indian Americans Hold Candlelight Vigils to Honor 13 U.S Troops Killed in Kabul Airport Suicide Attack
- Events were held in Washington, D.C., New York City, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, and Columbus, Ohio.
Indian Americans gathered in remembrance and prayer at a candlelight vigil held in major cities across the country to honor the 13 U.S troops killed in the suicide attack near the Kabul airport.
The Aug. 29 events were held on the day the remains of the 11 Marines, a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier and a U.S Navy sailor arrived at Dover Air Force Base. Vigils were held in Washington, D.C., New York City, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, and Columbus, Ohio.
People were seen holding flowers, placards, flags and pictures of the fallen soldiers. Dr. Surinder Kaul and Achalesh Amar of Houston, national coordinators of the vigils, told ANI news agency that “the will of the terrorists is not greater than the will of the good people of India, America, Israel and indeed the world. That’s why we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder, supporting one another, and united by our shared values and commitment to defeating terrorism.”
OFBJP past president Adapa Prasad, who participated in the D.C. event, told the Press Trust of India that the community has “gathered here to mourn the loss of our fallen soldiers in Kabul.” Calling it “a heinous act of terrorism,” he said: “Coming from India, which has been a victim of terrorism, we urge the U.S. government to take strong action against all those involved in terrorism.”