Rep. Murphy to Attend Afghanistan Memorial Service for Fallen Connecticut Airman

Press Release

Congressman Chris Murphy, who is in Afghanistan this week, will attend Saturday's memorial service in Kabul for the eight service members and one military contractor who were tragically killed by an Afghan gunman at the Kabul Airport Wednesday. Among those killed was Major Raymond G. Estelle II, from New Haven, Connecticut.

"This week's tragedy was yet another blow to our state, which has seen a large number of casualties in the last few months," Murphy said. "We have so many brave, heroic state residents who have volunteered to fight for our nation in Afghanistan, and this week was another reminder of how dangerous their mission is. I have asked my colleagues to join me at Saturday's memorial service to show our gratitude and sympathy for the ultimate sacrifice that these nine brave Americans made for our nation," Murphy added.

Murphy, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, is spending part of the week meeting with U.S. military and civilian leaders in Afghanistan, as well as Connecticut troops, to receive a firsthand view of the war's recent escalation. Murphy is joined by a delegation of five other Members of Congress, who will also attend the memorial, as will General David Petraeus.

Congressman Murphy will return from the fact-finding trip on Monday and will brief the press soon after.

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