The third anniversary of the tragic loss of 13 U.S. service members during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal is approaching on Monday.

Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) has voiced strong criticism of the White House, predicting that the upcoming anniversary will not be met with the appropriate level of respect and acknowledgment for the fallen heroes, something evidenced by the fact that the Biden-Harris administration is expected to do little to honor the sacrifice of the 13 service members who died during the botched withdrawal, as the Daily Mail reports.

Concerns Over Lack of Acknowledgment

Waltz has been vocal about his concerns that neither President Joe Biden nor Vice President Kamala Harris will provide a significant tribute to the fallen service members. He anticipates, at best, a brief statement from the president, but fears that the event may pass largely unnoticed by the administration.

Waltz has specifically called out the administration for what he perceives as a lack of accountability and respect. "I don't think you're going to hear a peep all this week, and it is such a shame," Waltz stated, expressing his frustration over the anticipated lack of acknowledgment.

The congressman also criticized Harris, who has publicly expressed satisfaction with the decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan. According to Waltz, this stance fails to address the chaos and fatal outcomes that followed the decision.

Honoring the Fallen: A Missed Opportunity

The 13 service members who lost their lives during the Afghanistan withdrawal represented various branches of the U.S. military.

Their names are etched in the memories of their families and communities: Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, and Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak.

Waltz emphasized the importance of these service members being honored appropriately. He criticized the Biden administration for not adequately addressing the tragedy, saying, "But he has yet to say all their names, he has yet to give the families the answers that they deserve."

Accountability and Public Perception

The chaotic nature of the Afghanistan withdrawal has been a point of contention since it occurred. Waltz believes that the administration's handling of the event and its aftermath has been deeply flawed, particularly in the way it has communicated with the American public and the families of the fallen.

"What is so damning and what's so insulting to them is to hear [Biden] describe it as a success and to see zero accountability," Waltz remarked, highlighting the frustration and disappointment felt by many.

Waltz also pointed to recent developments within the administration as further evidence of this lack of accountability.

Specifically, he mentioned the promotion of an official involved in coordinating the evacuation to the position of ambassador of Iraq. For Waltz, this promotion is not just a missed opportunity for accountability but an insult to the memory of those who lost their lives.

Calls for Greater Accountability

As the anniversary approaches, Waltz has called for a more thorough examination of the events surrounding the Afghanistan withdrawal. He suggests that the families of the fallen should be given the opportunity to meet with the decision-makers responsible for the withdrawal.

"I mean, if it were me, you know, lock the generals and the diplomats and everybody involved in the room with these families until they run out of questions – they're owed that," Waltz stated, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability.

The congressman's comments reflect a broader concern that the administration has not done enough to address the failures of the withdrawal. For many, the memory of the 13 service members who died during the operation serves as a painful reminder of the consequences of the decisions made.

Conclusion: Remembering the Fallen

As the third anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal approaches, criticism of the Biden administration's handling of the event and its aftermath continues to grow.

Congressman Mike Waltz's predictions of minimal acknowledgment for the fallen service members highlight a broader concern about accountability and respect for those who served.

The memory of the 13 service members who lost their lives during the chaotic evacuation will remain a point of contention and a call for greater accountability from the administration.