08/28/2025
Ending at the Museum of Veterans and Military History, 53 N. Mt. Olive, in Vilonia, Saturday, the War Hammer chapter of the Punishers will hold a ride-in, honoring the fourth anniversary of 13 U.S. soldiers killed in an enemy attack in Afghanistan four years ago. It is an annual event for the motorcycle organization.
Referred to as “The Fallen 13,” 11 Marines, one Navy corpsman and an Army soldier were killed in a su***de bombing at the Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 26, 2021, during the U.S. military's withdrawal.
One of the 13, Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, had a strong connection to Arkansas. Hoover, 31, was born in Arkansas and lived in West Memphis for a time. At the time of his death, he lived in Salt Lake City, Utah. He had served in the Marines for 11 years and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, based out of Camp Pendleton, California.
The ride in is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at 100 Court Street in Marion. The motorcycles are anticipated to roar into the museum between 1-1:30 p.m. There will be a memorial program in the museum’s outdoor Peace Chapel following. For more information on the ride, contact Adam Jacks at 501-733-9899. There is no charge to participate. Also, you do not have to ride to attend the program.
In addition, to Hoover, killed were Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, from Lawrence, MA., Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, from Sacramento, CA., Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, from Indio, CA., Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, from Omaha, Neb., Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, from Logansport, Ind., Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, from Rio Bravo, TX., Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, from St. Charles, Mo., Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, from Jackson, WY., Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, from Rancho Cucamonga, CA. and Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, from Norco, CA.
On the museum grounds, there is also a display honoring the 13.
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