Most Iran-war families absent from White House event

Six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers were killed March 1, 2026, in an Iranian drone strike at Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, the deadliest attack of a war launched Feb. 28 that has killed 19 U.S. troops and wounded more than 800. On Oct. 6, 2026, the White House held a Gold Star reception honoring nearly 40 fallen service members. Relatives of some of the six attended; many did not. Michelle Tietjens and her teenage son traveled from Bellevue, Nebraska, and took a photo with President Donald Trump and Melania Trump. Joey Amor, whose wife was killed in the strike, said families lack answers on decisions before the attack and asked Americans to demand transparency. Tina Marzan said she was not invited after telling officials she did not want contact, and that families should have been there. Donna Burhans said she got no invitation and would not have attended because it is too painful. Libby Klinner said she has no interest in supporting an administration she called reckless with service members' lives. The Army completed its investigation in June and says it is still redacting sensitive information before releasing findings to families. The Pentagon declined to comment. Invitations went out about two weeks before the event; John Thompson said families reported confusion and insufficient notice.