The 13 US soldiers – including Sgt. Johanny Rosario (25) from Lawrence, Massachusetts, who were killed in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan on Thursday – were honored this weekend in restaurants and breweries across the region.
American soldiers killed when two suicide bombers and armed men attacked a crowd of desperate Afghans pouring into Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul include 11 Marines, a Marine assigned to a Marine Corps unit and one soldier the special unit of the army.
In addition to Rosario, the Marines are Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California; Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California; Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska; Kpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana; Lance Assy. David L. Espinoza, 20, from Rio Bravo, Texas; Lance Assy. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri; Lance Assy. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming; Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, from Rancho Cucamonga, California, and Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California. Also killed were Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio, and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee.
Johanny Rosario, originally from Lawrence, was one of 13 US soldiers and 169 Afghans killed in a suicide attack on Kabul airport.
In tribute to their sacrifice and service, beers were reserved for them this weekend in breweries and restaurants across New England, including the Wachusett Brewing Company in Massachusetts.
The Westminster Brewery had 13 beers at the bar on Saturday – one for every soldier who died.
“Reserved for our fallen 13 soldiers,” read the sign. “Your victim will never be forgotten.”
On Sunday the display was still on the counter. The brewery says they wanted people to be aware of the sacrifice these soldiers made.
“We never want soldiers to be lost, so we’re just trying to make sure people take the time to respect the sacrifices they make to us,” said Jamie Roy, director of food and drink at Wachusett.
Roy says the display will be on in the bar for about a week and that the brewery will be discussing a possible fundraiser in the near future.
Elsewhere in New England, a similar scene took place at the Smuttynose Brewing Company in Hampton, New Hampshire; the Galley Hatch Restaurant, also in Hampton, New Hampshire; Rick’s Food & Liquor in Kingston, New Hampshire; and Fairgrounds Pizza & Pub in Cornish, Maine.
Smuttynose put 13 beers on an outside table and said they were reserved for those who couldn’t make it home.
“These beers are for you, as a small token of our appreciation for your victim,” said the brewery.
According to Smuttynose, a portion of all profits from this weekend will be donated directly to the families of the 13 lost soldiers.
Nearby in Hampton, the Galley Hatch said its tribute was to the fallen, adding, “May we all be grateful for our freedoms and the sacrifices of all our troops.”
The restaurant also thanked Tom Wines for the homage that featured American flags in some of the beers with red, white, and blue ribbons on the table.
At fairgrounds, each beer was placed next to a different glass with a candle. They were seated at a table with a “Reserved” sign.
“We honor our 13 heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said the restaurant. “God bless.”
“13 beers for Kabul,” said Rick’s Food & Spirits, where beer was placed around a fireplace.
The restaurant thanked MP Greely, who bought the beers as a tribute to the soldiers who were killed in the attack in Kabul.
