Families of troops killed in Iran war skip Trump’s Gold Star reception

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The vast majority of relatives of six service members killed in the deadliest strike of the Iran war will be absent from a major White House reception hosted by President Donald Trump for Gold Star families.

Only one family member of those killed during the March 1 Iranian drone attack on Port Shuaiba in Kuwait confirmed plans to attend Tuesday’s gathering with Trump and the First Lady.

Meanwhile, surviving troops from the attack have questioned why they were stationed at a location that lacked sufficient air defenses despite being identified as a likely target.

Since commencing on Feb. 28, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of 19 U.S. troops and injured more than 800 others. The annual gathering marks Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, which takes place on the final weekend of September.

According to the White House, this year’s reception recognizes nearly 40 fallen troops from operations dating back to the Vietnam War. Trump was scheduled to deliver an address, followed by a candle-lighting ceremony and a musical presentation featuring a rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

Many Gold Star relatives continue to express frustration regarding the lack of details released by the Pentagon concerning the strike in Kuwait.

“There are questions about what happened before the attack, what information was available, what decisions were made, and what happened in the moments leading up to six American soldiers losing their lives,” Joey Amor — whose 39-year-old wife, Master Sgt. Nicole M. Amor, was among those killed — said in a public Facebook statement Monday.

“I am done asking quietly. Today, I am asking the American people to stand with these six families and demand transparency.”

Injured soldiers recounted unheeded warnings raised prior to the attack and described feeling let down by the military medical system in the weeks that followed. The account of the March 1 assault relies on interviews conducted with 13 service members.

The Army declined to comment on reports regarding the Port Shuaiba strike, stating it had not yet briefed the families of the deceased on the results of an investigation finished in June. Officials explained that sensitive material is currently being redacted ahead of a public release. The Pentagon also declined to comment.

Honoring fallen service members typically provides meaningful recognition that transcends political divisions, according to John Thompson, a former Army sergeant who founded Salute to the Fallen, an Iowa group dedicated to veteran mental health, suicide prevention, and funeral costs.

He said multiple families told him they could not attend because they were not given adequate advance notice.

Invitations from the White House began going out to Gold Star families — the military designation for relatives of service members killed while on active duty — roughly two weeks ago through phone calls and emails.

“What they’ve told me is there has been a lot of confusion around this event, and they weren’t given the details in time,” Thompson said, adding that some relatives also lacked the resources to fund the trip.

At least two families said they received no invitation, though military personnel records can create administrative hurdles when trying to trace contact details.

While certain Gold Star relatives expressed appreciation for the ways the Trump administration and military have honored their loved ones, others feel the White House’s handling of the reception reflects an ongoing disregard for their sacrifices.

During the conflict’s initial stage, Trump called the military operation a “little excursion.” On Sept. 4, he characterized the ongoing war as “small potatoes.”

The widow of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, who died in the March 1 attack, said neither she nor her two children received an invitation.

Tina Marzan explained that while she requested federal authorities cease contacting her immediately following her husband’s death due to constant phone calls, she expected officials to reach out to her or her family for an event of this significance.

“We should be there,” Tina Marzan said. “I mean, that’s not a question.”

The White House stated that it refrains from reaching out to individuals who explicitly request no contact.

Some relatives of fallen troops have not objected to Trump’s past statements.

Donna Burhans, mother of Maj. Cody Khork, who was killed at Port Shuaiba, said she received no invitation but would have declined regardless because the experience is too painful. She described herself as a “big fan” of Trump after meeting him during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base.

“I just can’t keep going thru (sic) this over and over,” she stated in a text message.

The White House said it tried to send invitations to members of Khork’s family.

The spouse of Maj. Alex Klinner, an airman killed during an Iran-related operation this summer, stated that receiving under two weeks’ notice did not allow sufficient time to secure overnight arrangements for her three young children.

In a text message, Libby Klinner stated she would have declined the invitation regardless, adding, “I have no interest in supporting an administration that has been so reckless with the lives of our service members.”

Reporting for this story included contributions from New Orleans, San Diego, Wake Forest, North Carolina, Savannah, Georgia, and Washington.

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