Karim Nikoi, a marine in California, was killed in the Kabul airport bombing

Friends and family mourn the death of USMC Lance. Karim Miley Grant Nikoi, a California native who was one of 13 US soldiers killed Thursday in an explosion in Afghanistan.

in the current situationThe city of Norco said Nikoi graduated from Norco High School in 2019 after joining JROTC, then became a Marine. Norco is located about 30 miles south of San Bernardino and about 50 miles southeast of Los Angeles. In a statement, city officials said Nikoi’s name will be engraved on “Lest We Forget the Wall” in George A. Ingalls Old Memorial.

“The city of Norco respectfully salutes the service members who made the greatest sacrifices in Kabul, Afghanistan, and our hearts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time,” the statement said, adding that Nikoi “was committed to serving his country and is surviving by his mother, father and brothers.”

The Defense Ministry confirmed Nikoi’s death on Saturday. His father told the Daily Beast that he was stationed at Camp Pendleton, often returning home for weekends with the other Marines. The Nikoi family did not respond to requests for comment from USA TODAY.

Steve Nikoi told The Daily Beast He is upset with President Joe Biden, and is trying to “respect the position”, even though he backed former President Donald Trump.

“I blame my military commanders,” Nikoi said. “Biden has turned his back on him. That’s it.”

And He told Reuters: “I was really disappointed with the way the president handled this, and even the way the military handled it. Leaders on the ground had to recognize and respond to this threat.”

“We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will chase you and make you pay,” Biden vowed Thursday night.

They made the “great sacrifice”:13 US service members killed in Afghanistan airport bombing

In a statement, Norco Air High School JROTC said 20-year-old Nikoi was “one of the best” of its 2019 graduates.

“Karim was set to be a Marine and always wanted to serve his country. Karim made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and his memory will live on forever,” JROTC He said in a statement.

Congressman Ken Calvert, who represents Norco County, said he spoke with Nikoi’s family to express his condolences.

“As a proud Marine, Corporal Lance Nicoy and his unit put themselves in harm’s way in order to provide safety for others. That is the definition of bravery. This is the embodiment of the Marine Corps’ motto, Semper Fidelis,” Calvert said in a statement. “Through his brave actions, Corporal Nikoi has remained loyal to his fellow Marines, his country, and our citizens.”

Marine Corps Commander General David Berger saluted the sacrifices of the dead.

“These fallen heroes have heeded the call to walk the path of harm to do the honorable work of helping others. We are proud of their service and deeply saddened by their loss,” he said in a statement. “The sacrifices that Marines make for freedom must not go unnoticed or underappreciated. I ask that you keep these Marines and service members, especially their families, in your thoughts and prayers.”

US officials said the death toll from the blast included 11 US Marines, a man in a Navy hospital and one Army soldier. At least 18 US service members have been infected. It was the deadliest day for US forces in Afghanistan since August 2011. About 169 Afghans were killed, officials told The Associated Press. CBS News was reporting that number at 170.