ST. LOUIS – A Gold Star family is reacting after the terrorist behind the attack that killed their son and 12 other U.S. service members was recently captured.
Mark and Jaclyn Schmitz spoke with FOX 2 this weekend following President Trump’s announcement to Congress on Tuesday. Their son, 20-year-old Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, was killed in a terrorist bombing at the Kabul Airport during the U.S. military’s 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. The incident became known as Abbey Gate.
Mark and Jaclyn have honored Jared’s life by launching a foundation, The Freedom 13. They are in the process of building 13 homes for veterans on 171 acres of land in Bourbon, Missouri. If you’d like to help them in their mission or learn more about their organization, you can click here.