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In a poignant ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, the families of six US Army Reserve soldiers who tragically lost their lives last week in Kuwait gathered to witness the return of their loved ones. The dignified transfer ceremony marked a somber moment of remembrance and respect.
President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance, joined high-ranking military officials to pay their respects. Their presence underscored the nation’s gratitude and the solemnity of the occasion.
As the transfer cases were carefully carried from a C-17 aircraft across the tarmac, President Trump stood in a show of respect, saluting while wearing a white cap embroidered with the gold letters “USA.”
One of the soldiers, Marzan, is believed to have perished in the strike, though final confirmation from a medical examiner is still pending.
All six servicemen were part of the 103rd Sustainment Command, a unit of the Army Reserve based in Iowa, highlighting the close-knit nature of the military community and the profound loss felt by their comrades and families.
“It’s a very sad day,” Trump said on Air Force One after the transfer.
He said that the parents of the service members “were so proud” and that such deaths are “always a very sad thing”.
The president has previously said there will likely be more US casualties in the Iran war.
Asked on Saturday whether he thought he would have to attend more dignified transfers, Trump said, “I’m sure. I hate to … but it’s a part of war.”
Trump also cast blame on Iran for the strike on a primary school in southern Iran that killed at least 168 children and 14 teachers, contradicting expert analysis that suggested the US military was likely responsible.
“Based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran,” Trump said, and described Iranian munitions as “very inaccurate”.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also blamed Iran.
“The only side that targets civilians is Iran,” he told reporters.
The White House has not previously ruled out that US military personnel carried out the strike.
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