BERLIN HEIGHTS, Ohio — A Navy medic and graduate of Edison High School was among the 13 U.S. service members killed Thursday in Kabul in a bombing attack.
Max Soviak, a 2017 graduate of Edison High School, was killed in Afghanistan from the attack at the Kabul airport.
The Soviak family provided a photo of Max to WTOL 11 and asks for privacy at this time.
Soviak was part of the EHOVE Career Center Electrical Tech Class of 2017.
“Max and I had many good conversations about his future and going into the military. I was proud of him for choosing to serve," said Soviak's Electrical Tech instructor Vince Ragnoni in a press release from EHOVE. "He was so friendly, very competitive, and was always pulling shenanigans. He liked to get people to laugh. I was honored to have been able to have him as a student. His parents were so supportive, and you knew he was very loved.”
The Navy also confirmed in a brief statement Friday that one of their sailors was killed during the attack at the Abbey gate in Kabul, but did not provide many details at this time.
“We mourn the loss of this Sailor and we offer our deepest condolences to the loved ones of our fallen shipmate,” according to the Navy’s statement.
Two suicide bombers and gunmen attacked crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul's airport Thursday, transforming a scene of desperation into one of horror in the waning days of an airlift for those fleeing the Taliban takeover. The attacks killed at least 60 Afghans in addition to the 13 U.S. troops, Afghan and U.S. officials said.
The blasts came hours after Western officials warned of a major attack, urging people to leave the airport. But that advice went largely unheeded by Afghans desperate to escape the country in the last few days of an American-led evacuation before the U.S. officially ends its 20-year presence on Aug. 31.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the killings on its Amaq news channel. The Taliban condemned the blasts.
Democratic U.S. Army veteran Jeff Stites, who is running against Rep. Jim Jordan in the Ohio Fourth Congressional District, issued the following statement:
“I offer my deepest condolences to Max Soviak’s family and to everyone who loved him. Our community and our state are grieving with you, and Max’s service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, meanwhile, has ordered all American flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the lives lost in the Kabul attack. The order, which also includes Ohio flags, must be flown at half-staff at all public buildings and grounds until sunset on Monday, Aug. 30.
A GoFundMe has been set up by a family friend to support Soviaks in honor of Max. You can donate at this link.
