‘On Cue’ takes a pause in the games to remember 13 fallen Americans

The owners of the On Cue Sports Bar in Front Royal recently paid tribute to 13 U.S. servicemen – 11 Marines, one Army Staff Sergeant, and one Navy Medic – killed in the Kabul Airport terrorist bombings during civilian evacuation efforts on August 26. An American flag was laid at the center of one billiard table, flanked top and bottom with 13 pool balls, while 13 unopened beer bottles surrounded the table and the names of those casualties.

While perhaps a small gesture, it illustrates that even during business hours for some, and game time for others, some Americans pause in remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice of others on distant and often hostile shores. It is perhaps noteworthy that the Associated Press reported that even the Taliban government now in control of the country condemned the more radical Islamic State Kabul Airport bombing attacks now attributed with also killing at least 169 Afghanis and wounding another 143-plus. The Associated Press (AP) also reported 18 U.S. servicemen wounded in the bombings.

A somber remembrance between games and refreshments. Courtesy Photo On Cue/James Broadbent

Royal Examiner acknowledges the gesture of On Cue owners Danielle and Cole Haas, and joins them in honoring those 13 Americans fallen as they worked to evacuate to assure the continued safety of civilian allies of the anti-Taliban war effort in Afghanistan. We also thank James Broadbent for bringing the tribute to our attention. Broadbent, a veteran himself, thanked the On Cue owners on behalf of the service and veterans community.

And perhaps we should “cue” in “Taps” here for those 13 Americans:

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas;

Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California;

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah;

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee;

Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California;

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, Jackson, Wyoming;

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California;

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California;

Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska;

Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts;

Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana;

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri;

Navy Hospital Corpsman Max W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio