This morning, I attended the Memorial Day ceremony at the Old Auburn Cemetery in Auburn, CA. One of the speakers was Congressman Kevin Kiley, the representative for California’s 3rd Congressional District. His remarks were consistent with the tenor of the day. But some of the ideas he presented left me thinking about them.
Sergeant Nicole Gee
Kiley mentioned Sergeant Nicole Gee. A female Marine who died in 2021 at the Kabul Airport. Sgt Gee was raised in Placer County. She was there helping Afghani women and children flee that nation as part of the US military withdrawal. While there, shortly before her death, Gee posted on social media that she loved the work that she was doing.
On Memorial Day, it was fitting that Kiley remembered Sgt Gee as the fallen hero she was and is.
Trump administration actions
However, earlier this year, on April 11, 2025, the Trump administration announced that these Afghani refugees would lose their Temporary Protected Status. They had been put in that status to protect them from having to face the consequences of helping US military efforts. But now, Secretary Kristi Noem has concluded that these people no longer need that protection. This assessment has been soundly refuted by people with first-hand knowledge of the current state of Afghanistan.
These actions mean that Sgt Gee died in vain. The work that she loved to do was no longer appreciated by officials in an administration lead by a 5-time draft dodger.
A proper remembrance
As a veteran, I choose to remember Gee for who she was: a Marine helping people who supported the mission of our United States, escape and be able to search for the life our own forefathers sought.