The soldiers whose remains are being returned to their families
The four U.S. service members were identified by the Defense Department:
1. 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii
2. Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas
3. Sgt. Angel Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York
4. Army Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Spring Lake, North Carolina
Since the war began on Feb. 28, 18 U.S. service members have been killed.
President Trump honored the lives of four U.S. service members who were killed in the Middle East and returned to their families at an air force base in Delaware.
The president saluted as four transfer cases carrying the service members' remains were escorted off an airplane during the dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base. The ritual is one of the most somber duties of a commander in chief. It was the third Trump has attended since he launched the war in Iran in February.
Trump was scheduled to meet privately with the grieving families. Speaking to reporters on his way to Dover, Trump called the ritual “one of the hardest things to do as a president.” His message to the families, he said, was, “We love you. We love your child.”
“There’s no games, there’s no nothing — that’s their child,” Trump said. “And all you can do is throw out your heart.”
Trump was accompanied by administration officials including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Also present were Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del.
