Local News

Raeford 9-year-old honors soldiers who died in Kabul airport bombing

A 9-year-old boy from Raeford visited the Airborne museum in Fayetteville to honor the 13 American service members who were killed while evacuating the airport in Kabul.
Posted 2021-09-08T19:01:59+00:00 - Updated 2021-09-08T19:01:59+00:00
Raeford child places flags underneath the Iron Mike statue in honor of the 13 US service members who lost their lives in Kabul.

A 9-year-old boy from Raeford visited the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations museum in Fayetteville to honor the 13 American service members who were killed while evacuating the airport in Kabul.

Christopher Hoffman asked his father if he could visit the Iron Mike statue at the museum.

Raeford child places flags underneath the Iron Mike statue in honor of the 13 US service members who lost their lives in Kabul.
Raeford child places flags underneath the Iron Mike statue in honor of the 13 US service members who lost their lives in Kabul.

"We talk often of history and I teach him about the men and women who have died protecting our country," his father said.

Once he got there, Hoffman read the plaque underneath the Iron Mike statue and placed 13 small American flags at its feet.

Many young soldiers lost their life on Aug. 26, when a suicide bomber attacked the Kabul airport.

The Iron Mike statue was sculpted in 1960, modeled after a World War II paratrooper. The display is dedicated to all Airborne troopers who have served for America.

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