Two fallen Marines killed in the ISIS-K suicide blast outside the Kabul airport last month were laid to rest on Tuesday - and former Vice President Mike Pence spoke movingly at an Indiana funeral honoring a corporal while loved ones remembered a sergeant at a wake in Massachusetts.
Marine Cpl Humberto Sanchez, 22, was hailed as a hero at his funeral by Pence who told mourners at the Life Gate Church in Logansport that his actions on August 26 will inspire generations of Americans.
Marine Sgt Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, was screening women and children hoping to flee, when the bomb went off, killing the servicemembers and 169 Afghanis. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker spoke at her wake and said that 'her life exemplified what it meant to be truly heroic'.
Speaking near Sanchez's flag-covered casket Pence, a former Indiana governor, said: 'No one will ever say it better than his mother did.'
Marine Cpl Humberto Sanchez was hailed as a hero at his funeral on, with former Indiana governor and vice President Mike Pence telling mourners at the Life Gate Church in Logansport that his actions on the day of the blast will inspire generations of Americans
Sanchez's family were presented folded flags during the graveside service at Mount Hope Cemetery
Mourners gather at Mount Hope cemetery for the funeral of Marine Cpl Humberto 'Bert' Sanchez on Tuesday
Marines in Logansport, Indiana, prepared to place Sanchez's casket on a lowering device during the funeral
Sanchez was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in a funeral ceremony on Tuesday
Marine Cpl Humberto Sanchez (left), 22, of Logansport, Indiana, and Marine Sgt Johanny Rosario Pichardo (right), 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, were two of the American service members killed in a suicide bombing outside the Kabul airport on August 26. They were both remembered in two separate ceremonies in their hometowns on Tuesday
'In those final moments of his life, it was a work of heart, doing everything he could to get those kids out of harm's way,' the politician added, as Chaplain Captain Blake Campbell explained how 'he gave up his life in defense of the defenseless'.
He was laid to rest in a traditional military flag-draped coffin surrounded by American and Mexican flags representing both parts of his identity.
Officials said Sanchez risked his own life that day to protect the civilians and Campbell also noted that Sanchez lived up to the Marine's motto 'Semper Fi,' which means 'always faithful'.
Pence memorialized Sanchez by sharing the story of his final moments in Afghanistan, telling how he assisted vulnerable adults and children as they fled for safety as he called the fallen soldier a 'brave and selfless Hoosier' and a 'true American,' according to the Indiana Star.
'I'm told he never gave up till his job was done. He stayed at his post... He gave his life defending innocent civilians fleeing from the chaos that had become Afghanistan,' Pense added.
He told Sanchez's parents the crowd that showed up that day is 'a testament to the impact that your son had on this community... and on the hearts of people all across this country,' according to the Journal and Courier.
The former Vice President also told Sanchez's mother: 'Coral, we will tell his story. We will tell about his courage. We will tell about his selflessness and let me assure you, he will never be forgotten.'
Indiana Senator Todd Young, who himself is a former Marine, said: 'There simply is no recompense. To Humberto's parents I say: "You raised the hero. You are heroes. And we grieve alongside you."'
Others remembered him as a 'gap filler and a bridge-builder,' who stepped up when people needed him the most.
Colasa Pichardo (center) mother of US Marine Sgt Johanny Rosario Pichardo, holds the flag that draped Pichardo's casket, at Bellevue Cemetery in Lawrence, Massachusetts
Pichardo's family was greeted by members of Veterans groups near her flag draped casket at the start of a public wake
A woman embraces the family of Sgt Johanny Rosario Pichardo during her public viewing at Veterans Memorial Stadium
Pichardo's siblings paid their final respects at her public viewing at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Tuesday
A monument at the site says it is 'dedicated to the peace that was paid for through the blood and sacrifice' of veterans. Marines pallbearers salute the casket of Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo
'Tens of thousands of children and moms and dads now have access to life and hope and a future because of Abiel's sacrifice,' said pastor and family-friend Zach Szmara, referring to Sanchez by his middle name. 'Because Abiel stood in the midst of that brokenness, because of his service, because of his sacrifice, people now have a way forward.'
During the service on Tuesday, Sanchez's younger brother, Ariel Loran, playing The Marine's Hymn in his honor, while Szmara shared stories about him growing up, as reported by the Indiana Star.
It ended with a performance of Mr Red, White and Blue by country singer Coffey Anderson and one final prayer before a procession from Life Gate Church escorted his body to the Mount Hope Cemetery.
The service capped days of heavy emotion in the northern Indiana community, where signs in front of several businesses and restaurants say 'thank you' and t-shirts and yard signs carry his face and say 'our hero'.
Sanchez, known as Bert, was among 17 members of his Logansport High School class who joined the military after their 2017 graduation, serving in the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment outside of Camp Pendleton, California.
He played on the soccer team and was part of the homecoming court during his senior year.
Even though he 'wasn't the best on the team,' the pastor added, 'he was one of the most needed people on every team ... he did what was needed to be done'.
'He brought life into places that needed it most,' Szmara said on Tuesday, according to the Star. 'His presence brought vibrant color into parts of life that were gray and dull. The joy he brought into life was so immense.'
After his body arrived on Sunday, people lined the route to show their respects, many with American flags, and jets flew overhead as the procession approached downtown Logansport.
The procession stopped briefly downtown, where the hearse carrying Sanchez's body paused under a garrison flag. The procession included Indiana State Police and vehicles carrying Sanchez's family, followed by thousands of motorcycles.
According to Marine officials, Sanchez was originally assigned to work security at the United States embassy in Jordan but had been transferred to help with the evacuation efforts in Afghanistan before the blast.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker spoke at Pichardo's wake and said that 'her life exemplified what it meant to be truly heroic'
A monument at the site says it is 'dedicated to the peace that was paid for through the blood and sacrifice' of veterans
Pichardo's mother wanted to have a public funeral for her child because 'the loss of my daughter is not just mine is the nation's'
Pichardo's flag-draped casket was being carried into a stadium by her fellow Marines, as hundreds of people lined up outside for a chance to pay their respects
Meanwhile, several states away, Pichardo's flag-draped casket was being carried into a stadium by her fellow Marines, as hundreds of people lined up outside for a chance to pay their respects.
Her family paused at each of the photos of the other 12 service members killed, WCVB reports, before they watched solemnly as the casket entered Veterans Memorial Stadium in her hometown of Lawrence.
Sixty Marines from her unit, now in Bahrain, flew to Massachusetts to attend, according to CBS Boston.
Among the political figures paying their respects on Tuesday were Gov Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Kim Janey and US Sen Edward Markey and Sen Elizabeth Warren.
State Representative Steven Xiarhos, a Gold Star father, embraced Pichardo's mother as he paid his respects. His own son Nicholas died in 2009 while serving in Afghanistan.
Outside, Patriot Guard Riders lined up to show their respect.
'Most of us feel it is our duty,' said Larry Drum. 'Those are people that stand everyday to protect us. We feel it's our duty to honor them in their time of need.'
After the casket was laid gently on the field, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker took the lectern, sharing a story that a local priest told him about Pichardo volunteering at a food pantry as a teenager, according to CBS Boston.
'She was so committed to becoming a Marine, that that's what they called her - they called her Marine,' he said. 'And they were so excited for her when she finally had a chance to fulfill that lifelong ambition.'
He added: 'As a Marine, as an auntie, as a social worker, as a servant, over and over again, her life exemplified what it meant to be truly heroic.'
According to her commander, Captain Pascal Demeo, Pichardo tried to help two Afghan women caught in the explosion when she died.
'Late in the afternoon, there was a group of Marines and soldiers attempting to push back the mob from overruning the gates,' he recounted. 'They had riot shields to keep back the mob, people were trying to flee for their lives.
'In between that mob, there were two women being crushed, they were helpless,' he said, and Pichardo went to go help them. Her final words, according to Demeo were: 'They need me, sir.'
'Everything she did in Afghanistan contributes to saving 124,000 lives,' he said, adding: 'The term hero is used too often to describe service members. You're not a hero because you served. I'm no hero. Sgt Rosario was a hero.'
Fellow Marines paid their respects during an emotional memorial in Pichardo's hometown
Marines who served in Bahrain with Pichardo were in attendance
Military members salutes as Pichardo's casket passed on a horse at Bellevue Cemetery
As her hearse left the stadium on Tuesday morning, her mother, Colasa Pichardo, could be seen kissing her casket
Law enforcement members saluted Pichardo's casket at the ceremony on Tuesday
The community of Lawrence, Massachusetts came out to support her family on Tuesday
Pichardo served with the Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
Her body was returned home to Massachusetts on Saturday, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, as the nation mourned the tragedy.
As a hearse carrying her body made its way through the town that day, people lined the streets where many waved American flags at the vehicle procession, with firefighters and others accompanying her casket.
Her mother, grandmother and three siblings were overcome with grief as the casket was loaded onto the tarmac.
'She's coming home on the date, the 20th anniversary of the date, that created the war that cost her life,' Francisco Urena, former state veterans commissioner, told The Boston Globe.
A private funeral Mass presided over by Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley was held Monday.
As her hearse left the stadium on Tuesday morning, her mother, Colasa Pichardo, could be seen kissing her casket.
'The loss of my daughter is not just mine is the nation's,' she told WCVB. 'That is why I want this to be a public funeral.'
After Tuesday's wake, she will be buried at Bellevue Cemetery in a section reserved for veterans.
'I am proud of her service, proud of what she was doing to protect women and children, especially in Afghanistan,' US Sen Edward Markey said Tuesday.
'That's who she was. She was the embodiment of everything that Lawrence and this community stands for.'
All 13 slain troops, who included 11 Marines, one Army staff sergeant and one Navy corpsman, have been posthumously awarded Purple Hearts, the oldest US military award still given to American service members.
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