One Last Hike: 13 U.S. service members killed in Kabul to be honored in Jacksonville
The 13 U.S. service members who died in Afghanistan in August will be remembered by hundreds of people in Jacksonville this month.
A 13-kilometer hike called One Last Hike will begin at the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Complex at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20 to honor the fallen.
Lance Cpl. Matt Spugnardi, a Camp Lejeune Marine with 2d Transportation Battalion, came up with the idea for a memorial hike soon after 11 Marines, a Navy corpsman and soldier were killed in the Afghanistan capital of Kabul during evacuations on Aug. 26.
Hannah Spugnardi said within a day of her husband posting the event to Facebook, hundreds of responses had poured in.
“The military family is really big on being there for each other,” she said. “No matter if something happened 10 years ago, two weeks ago or two months ago, they’re always going to be there for one another.”
Camp Lejeune's Sgt. Nicole Gee, 24, of Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, was one of the Marines killed. Nine of the Marines who died in the attack were from the 1st Marine Division out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, which also lost Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss of Fort Bragg also died.
MORE: Memorial for service members killed in Kabul a community effort
The Jacksonville community was quick to respond to the tragedy with a roadside memorial near the Camp Lejeune main gate, a candlelight vigil and yellow ribbons, among other forms of remembrance.
Though the Spugnardi's didn't know any of the 13 personally, the news of the attack was a blow felt by the entire military community.
“[Matt] did take it very personal,” his wife said. “Even though he didn't know them, it was really tough to see him the first couple weeks that it happened.”
One Last Hike is a nonprofit that operates on donations and proceeds from sales of decals and key chains with excess funds going to the families of the 13. More than 860 people are registered for the free event, which will bring in hikers from out of state.
Matt Spugnardi said organizing the hike was a group effort with the help of his wife and Marines from his unit.
“We are just all a big family,” he said.
Hikers must register for the hike online at www.eventbrite.com and complete a waiver to participate.
“We all want to say thank you to everyone who has donated and helped us make this hike possible,” Hannah Spugnardi said.
Reporter Calvin Shomaker can be reached at cshomaker@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daily News: 13 U.S. service members killed in Kabul to be honored in Jacksonville
