Soviak receives Congress' highest honor

BERLIN HEIGHTS — Congressional leaders presented their highest honor to 13 U.S. service members — including one from the local area — on Tuesday, honoring them as heroes for their brave actions occurring three years ago. The Congressional Gold Medal ceremony, hosted by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, in Washington, D.C., recognized those killed in a suicide bombing, which occurred at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport's Abbey Gate in Afghanistan. In an emotional ceremony, loved ones and family members accepted these medals on behalf of service members they personally knew. "To the families who are here, I know many of you have yet to hear these words, so I will say them: We are sorry," said Johnson, who was quoted in an article published by The Hill. In addition, about 170 Afghan civilians were killed in the attack. "The U.S. government should have done everything to protect our troops. Those fallen and wounded at Abbey Gate deserved our best efforts," Johnson said. "The families who have been left to pick up the pieces continue to deserve transparency and appreciation and recognition." Among the 13 posthumously receiving the medal with each person's name read aloud, one by one, in a solemn event: Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss and Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak. Those from the Soviak family, including Maxton's parents Rachel and Kip, attended the ceremony. "We are extremely grateful to the nation for the continued support to the families of the 13 service members killed at Abbey Gate," Kip said. More on the medal Bestowed by U.S. Congress, the Congressional Gold Medal is considered a prestigious honor only given out on rare occasions. "It is Congress' highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals, institutions or groups," according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. This practice of issuing gold medals began during the American Revolution in 1776. It's been extended to individuals in all walks of life since then. Lawmakers unanimously approved posthumously awarding the fallen service members the Congressional Gold Medal in fall 2021 shortly after the attack. It is unclear why three years passed between Congress approving the medals and the actual awarding of them, according to military.com In memory Like the 12 other U.S. service members, Maxton — a Berlin Heights native and a 2017 Edison High School graduate — died a hero, helping evacuate Americans and Afghan citizens, including children, at risk of being killed by the Taliban. Assigned to the 2nd Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California, Maxton earned the nickname "Doc" from Marines that he served with. He received the "Doc" title because of his relentless approach in caring for and saving people through his medical expertise. As a result of his brave actions in support of his fellow service members and mission, the Navy posthumously advanced Maxton to the rank of Hospital Corpsman Third Class on Sept. 2, 2021. He also received many honors, including the Purple Heart and the Fleet Marine Force warfare badge. In 2023, a stretch of Ohio 113 between McIntyre Road and Twin Oaks Drive in Milan Township, which encompasses Edison High School, became known as "U.S. Navy Corpsman Maxton Soviak Memorial Highway." More recently, last week, his alma matter dedicated its new football field to Maxton. On Sept. 6, Edison Schools officially unveiled Freedom Field prior to the home opener for the Edison Chargers varsity football team. Coles Energy purchased the naming rights to the field for $250,000 and opted to honor service members past and present with the name. Cross Country Mortgage jump-started the fundraising with a $100,000 contribution. Soviak's number 27 is embedded at the 27-yard line in four places on the vibrant new field. "We couldn't be more pleased with the name Freedom Field," Kip told the crowd. "Of the heroes who are here tonight, please gaze at the monument to you, and thank you for your service." Supporting Maxton Soviak People can make donations, learn about affiliated events or inquire about the Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak Memorial Foundation by visiting maxtonsoviak.org. Several verified social media sites also provide updates on the above: • Facebook: @MaxtonSoviakMemorial • Twitter: @SoviakStrong • Instagram @corpsman_maxton_w_memorial Since its founding, in less than three years, the nonprofit's two major events — the golf scramble and Tango Trot — raised enough money to specially train several service and therapy dogs for veterans in need. Additionally, the foundation helped provide adventures and experiences to other qualifying veterans. "I've said, since Maxton's funeral (in September 2021) that the community has been our rock. They have come out and been nothing but supportive to us in Erie and Huron counties, Norwalk, Sandusky, Berlin Heights, Milan and the state of Ohio," said Kip, who also thanked those supporting his son during the latest Ironman event and at local festivals. "There has been tremendous support to help Rachel and I get through everything we have been through, and we're grateful they continue to come out and provide support to us and the foundation."