Congressman Ruiz attends Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for troops killed in U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan

Three years ago, the world witnessed the heartbreaking loss of 13 courageous service members, including Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez from Indio, during the evacuation efforts outside Kabul Airport.

"Today Congress honored Cpl. Hunter Lopez and 12 other service members who lost their lives during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan with the Congressional Gold Medal. It was a moving tribute to them and their families and both heartbreaking and heartwarming to see Hunter Lopez's mother Alicia and father Herman receive with honor and dignity, the medal on his behalf. I honor each of the 13 service members and their families for the ultimate sacrifice for our nation."