Community members react to Kabul attack that injured Dearborn County Marine
People across Dearborn County are sending thoughts and prayers for the speedy recovery of Marine Cpl. Kelsee Lainhart.
Lainhart was injured Thursday in the Kabul airport suicide bomb attack that claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members.
Edward Gutzwiller shared his thoughts from the parking lot of the local American Legion.
“We don’t know what they are going through over there and with respect for the family and all the veterans, our prayers and heart go out to them," Gutzwiller said.
Throughout St. Leon and other southeast Indiana towns, Gutzwiller said the flag is waving boldly, sending messages of support for Lainhart and those still in harm’s way.
“Thanks to them, that’s why that flag waves, because of her and the service members who lost their lives this past week. Hopefully there aren’t any more," he said.
Lainhart is a 2019 graduate of East Central High School where she played volleyball. She then enlisted in the Marine Corps and completed Paris Island boot camp in October of that same year.
Vietnam veteran David Schantz said he was wounded in combat before returning to St. Leon.
“You see what’s going on over there; it’s a mess. Just pray for her. She’s a member of this community. It's about family ties here. We are all hoping and praying," he said.
Lainhart’s father, Glen, said he was notified of the attack and Kelsee's injuries Friday morning. He said she was in stable condition and evacuated to Ramstein Air Base in Germany before being transferred to Joint Base Andrews outside of Washington, D.C.