Parents of soldier killed in Jordan reflect on their daughter's life: 'I just miss her'
Oneida and Shawn Sanders remember their daughter, 24-year-old Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, as a goal-oriented and competitive person who loved serving her country.
The parents of one of the U.S. soldiers killed in a drone strike in Jordan spoke out Tuesday morning about the loss of their daughter, who was tragically killed alongside two of her fellow soldiers in Jordan.
Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders of Waycross, Ga., was killed alongside 23-year-old Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett and 46-year-old Sgt. William Jerome Rivers during the drone attack near the Syrian border over the weekend.
Kennedy's parents, Oneida and Shawn Sanders joined "Fox & Friends" to discuss the unexpected loss and how they want America to respond to the deadly attack that took their daughter's life.
3 AMERICAN TROOPS KILLED, 25 INJURED IN ATTACK ON JORDAN BASE NEAR SYRIA BORDER
"As a grieving parent, I would not want to see any other parent go through what we're going through right now, but given the circumstances, our child and the others who lost their lives are considered heroes in this situation," Oneida said. "However, the President of the United States decides to respond, it won't change our situation at all."
She added, "Whatever is decided, I trust that it'll be a good decision that keeps everyone in the safest position."
Spc. Kennedy Landon Sanders, 24, was one of the soldiers that was killed in the deadly Jordan drone strike ('Fox & Friends' screengrab)
Oneida mentioned that the family had already been in contact with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and various lawmakers.
"I have heard from some other government officials," Oneida said. "Also, the governor of Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp, has put in a call to us. Some of our congressmen who represent our area have called us.
She mentioned the pair needed to complete paperwork before speaking with President Biden, but since the interview aired, White House national security spokesman John Kirby confirmed Biden had spoken to each of the families directly.
"He was grateful for their time," Kirby said. "He expressed to them how proud we all are of their service, how we mourn and feel the full sorrow over their loss. Made sure that those families knew that not only was that service and sacrifice going to be honored and respected, but that they would continue to get the support that they need as they work through what no family wants to have to go."
"As I said, no Blue Star family wants to become a Gold Star family. In that conversation, he also gauged their feelings about him going to the dignified transfer Dover on Friday," he continued. "All of them supported his presence there, and so the president will be going to the dignified transfer on Friday."
Since the attack, Biden has faced mounting pressure to respond in retaliation to Iran.
"Last night, three U.S. service members were killed, and many wounded, during an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border. Jill and I join the families and friends of our fallen in grieving the loss of these warriors in this despicable and wholly unjust attack. Have no doubt: We will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing," the president said in a statement Sunday.
The Pentagon says more than 40 people were injured in the weekend attacks on a small desert installation known as Tower 22 in Jordan. At least eight were medically evacuated and the most seriously hurt service member is in critical but stable condition.
The Sanders said they were given very little information surrounding their daughter's death since there is an ongoing investigation into the attack.
"They didn't give us any, details to that effect. The only thing that officers who visited our home told us that Kennedy Sanders was deceased and that she was in Tower 22 killed by an unmanned aircraft or drone," Oneida said. "I can't remember the word he used, but that's the only details he gave us."
A U.S. official confirmed to Fox News that the drone got past the air defenses for Tower 22 because it was mistaken for a U.S. drone expected to return to the base at the same time. A U.S. official told Fox News that the American drone and the attacking one were "in the vicinity" of one another.
The soldiers' deaths marked a major escalation of violence in the ongoing attacks on U.S. forces in the region. The Biden administration has blamed these attacks on Iran-backed militia groups in Syria and Iraq who have struck American targets in retaliation for the U.S.'s support of Israel in its ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza that began on Oct. 7.
Per the Department of Defense (DOD), there have been 165 attacks in Iraq, Syria and now Jordan since Oct. 17. Of these, 66 were in Iraq, 98 were in Syria and one was in Jordan.
Kennedy's parents said she came from a long line of service, with her dad, brother and grandfather all having served in the military.
"I'm always kind of focused on her commitment to the army and understanding the ultimate sacrifice. I came home, her big brother came home. My dad came home. A lot of us don't have the opportunity to come home," Shawn said. "And for those who don't, we should honor them."
"She was the life of the party. It was a. She enjoyed life. She was very competitive. She was goal-oriented, and she loved the service. She loved serving our country," he said. "I just miss her right now. This morning has been tough on me."
Fox News' Bradford Betz and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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