Gibbs High School Graduate Killed In Kabul Airport Attack

By: Breanna Naysmith

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Remember in 3rd grade when your teachers would ask “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Well, Ryan Knauss wrote that he wanted to be in the Marines. Tons of little kids dream of being in the military. In Ryan’s case, he succeeded. Right after high school, he enlisted to protect and serve his country. The principal of Gibbs Highschool, Jason Webster, thought it was unbelievable that one of his former students gave the ultimate sacrifice for him. Webster was proud to call Knauss a Gibbs Eagle and of how dedicated he was to be serving the United States.

Ryan Knauss and twelve other American Service Members were killed in the attack on the Kabul Airport. Our armed forces were there working to evacuate thousands of Americans out of Afghanistan. Knauss showed great heroism by helping people he did not even know. He sacrificed his life to save others. A US Senator from Tennessee commended Knauss by saying, “Ryan will be remembered as a brave, honorable, and heroic man – a Tennessee volunteer – who, with a servant’s heart, gave everything of himself at just 23 years old for his state and the country that he loved dearly." Knauss will be laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery. Let us continue to keep the Knauss family and all our service members in our prayers.