Most families of six soldiers killed in Kuwait drone strike skip White House Gold Star reception

Mixed · 2Most families of the six US soldiers killed in the deadliest attack of the Iran war did not plan to attend a White House reception for Gold Star families hosted by President Donald Trump and the first lady on Tuesday 6 October. 1 2 Mixed · 2Only one family member of those killed in the 1 March Iranian drone strike on Port Shuaiba in Kuwait confirmed to The Associated Press that they planned to attend. 1 2 Right · 1The war, launched on 28 February, has killed 19 US troops and wounded more than 800. The annual reception marks Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day, and the White House said this year's event honored nearly 40 fallen service members from conflicts dating to the Vietnam War, with remarks by Trump, a candle-lighting ceremony and music. 1

Mixed · 2Families have voiced frustration at the lack of information from the Pentagon. Joey Amor, whose wife Master Sgt. Nicole M. Amor was killed, said in a Facebook statement that there are questions about what information was available and what decisions were made, and asked the public to demand transparency. 1 2 Mixed · 2Surviving soldiers, in interviews with the AP (13 in total), said they raised concerns about the threat that went unheeded, questioned why they were stationed at a site lacking sufficient air protection that was seen as a likely target, and said the military medical system failed them afterwards. 1 2 Mixed · 2The Army declined to comment on the AP's reporting, saying it had not yet briefed the families on the outcome of its investigation, completed in June, and is still redacting sensitive information before release. The Pentagon also declined to comment. 1 2

Mixed · 2John Thompson, a former Army sergeant who founded the Iowa group Salute to the Fallen, said several families told him they could not go because of too little notice and confusion over details, and some could not afford the trip. Invitations began going out about two weeks earlier. 1 2 Mixed · 2At least two families said they received no invitation. Tina Marzan, widow of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, said she and her two children were not invited; she had asked federal officials not to contact her after his death but said "We should be there." The White House said it does not contact people who ask not to be contacted. 1 2 Mixed · 2Reactions among families differ. Donna Burhans, mother of Maj. Cody Khork, a self-described "big fan" of Trump, said she got no invitation but would not have gone because it is too painful; the White House said it tried to invite Khork's family. Libby Klinner, spouse of Maj. Alex Klinner, killed in an Iran-related operation this summer, said under two weeks' notice left no time to arrange childcare for her three children and that she would not have gone anyway, citing an administration "so reckless with the lives of our service members." 1 2

Mixed · 2Both reports note that some families are grateful for how the administration and military have honored their loved ones, while others see the handling of the reception as disrespect. Early in the war Trump called it a "little excursion", and on 4 September he called it "small potatoes". 1 2