EXCLUSIVE: Family of local Marine injured in Kabul airport attack shares update on his condition
A local Marine injured during the Kabul airport attack continues to recover from his injuries.
Corporal Salvador Lule of Indio was stationed with his team in Kabul, Afghanistan during a series of bombings that killed 13 U.S. service members, including Cpl. Hunter Lopez, another Coachella Valley native.
Lule was among 15 U.S. service members injured during the attack. He was flown to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center near Washington D.C. for treatment.
Cpl. Lule graduated from La Quinta High School in 2019. A family friend said he enlisted in the Marine Corps shortly after graduating to help his family and serve the country he loves.
News Channel 3's Madison Weil spoke with Lule's family on Monday.
“You never know the real feeling of what people are going through until it happens to you," said Alfredo Lule, the younger brother of Cpl. Salvador Lule.
“It’s a feeling I wouldn’t wish on anyone else...it’s a horrible feeling," said his father, Francisco Lule, describing the moment he learned his son was injured in the attacks.
Lule’s father and brother shared their entire family remains shaken. “He’s hanging in there...he doesn’t want to speak about what happened because it really hurts him. The Marines that passed away...he knew all of them,” said his brother.
He said their mother is currently by Cpl. Lule's side at Walter Reed hospital as he recovers.
“She broke down…she broke down. She was depressed and stayed in her room for a couple days. She couldn’t believe it," he shared.
The family says that Lule has undergone a series of surgeries. The blast severely injured his face, arms and torso.
After the attacks, they say Cpl. Lule was taken to a hospital in Germany for immediate treatment before being flown to the United States.
His family shared they are filled with gratitude that he is alive and for the continued, overwhelming support from the community.
“If I do ask the community to do something for us...just please just pray for him. Pray for Salvador Lule...please,” said his brother.
