Local veterans react to passing of Coachella Valley Marine Hunter Lopez
Marine Corporal Hunter Lopez was one of the 13 service members who died in the attack at the Kabul airport on Thursday. His remains, along with the 12 other service members, were returned to the U.S. Sunday morning to Dover Air Force Base.
The tragic news of the fallen service members, with one of them from La Quinta, has people in Coachella Valley mourning. Local veterans have been especially hurt by the news.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3699 in Indio serves veterans in the Coachella Valley. Veterans from every branch are invited to join and support each other. Especially during hard times like these with the conflict in Afghanistan.
The veterans said the bond between all military members, past or present, is felt so strongly. They've never met Hunter Lopez or any of the other service members who died, but to them, Lopez and the other service members were their brothers and sisters.
"We are part of the brotherhood. Every service, Coast Guard, Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy," said Army veteran Jonathan Rich who served in Vietnam as a neuropsychiatric specialist. "My first reaction was to all of the dead. This is horrific. The way this happened is horrible."
Rich made sure to lower the flag outside his home to half-staff. Leonard Abramowitz also served in Vietnam as a Navy weapon specialist. He was 17 when he enlisted. Lopez was only 22 years old when he died.
"So seeing them being unloaded at Dover [Air Force Base] really hit home. It really did. I thought I was back in Vietnam," said Abramowitz. "I started almost crying because it could have been me coming home 53 years ago in a body bag, then a casket... And I just turned 70. He'll never see that at all. That's what hurts the most."
And if Lopez was still here today:
"I'd grab him and I'd hug him. And I say thank you. Thank you for being one of us," said Abramowitz.
Both vets are now a part of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3699 in Indio. Each of them relying on each other for support during these hard times.
When the remains of Lopez return to the valley, the group wants to be there to welcome him home as a color guard.
"We want to be there for his family and for him when he returns. So as soon as that happens, we will be there. No matter what time of day it is," said Abramowitz.
Making sure to support the Lopez family in any way they can.
"I am so sorry. So sorry. We are here for you. However we can help. However if we can honor your child," said Rich.
The VFW has contacted the office of Congressman Raul Ruiz to make sure it can honor Lopez when he gets home. In the meantime, the group will keep supporting each other as they grieve the loss of their fellow brothers and sisters.
