Up & Coming Weekly

August 31, 2021

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM SEPTEMBER 1-7, 2021 UCW 9 Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, a soldier assigned to Fort Bragg's 9th Battalion, 8th Psychological Opera- tions Group (Airborne) died as a result of wounds sustained from an attack at the Hamid Karzai Inter- national Airport, where he was supporting non- combatant evacuation operations Aug. 26 in Kabul, Afghanistan. "We share in the tremendous grief over the loss of Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, and we stand in support of his wife and entire family during this tragic time," said Col. Jeremy Mushtare, commander of 8th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne). "Ryan was the embodiment of an Army Special Operations Forces soldier, a testament to the professionalism of the non-commissioned officer corps, and a steadfast husband and teammate. His loss is devastating to our formation and Army family." Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tenn., joined the Army in May 2016. Following Initial Entry Training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga., Knauss was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, and deployed to Afghani- stan in 2017 as an infantryman. Upon returning home he attended and completed the Psychological Operations Assessment and Selection Course and the Psychological Operations Qualification Course. Upon graduation, Knauss was assigned to 9th Bat- talion, 8th POG (Airborne). Staff Sgt. Knauss's military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Basic Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Psychological Operations Assessment and Selection Course, Psychological Operations Qualification Course, and Survival, Eva- sion, Resistance and Escape Course (Level C). His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Action Badge, and the Army Basic Parachutist Badge. U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), Fort Bragg's Congressman, released a statement Saturday that read "Renee and I join our country in praying for the family of Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss, including his wife in Pinebluff and his extended family in Tennessee and Florida. His loss is felt by our entire Fort Bragg community and our nation will never forget his sacrifice, as well as that of all of our fallen service members. ey put their lives on the line to save our fellow citizens and allies in harm's way. ey are heroes." 13 U.S. service members killed in airport attack in Afghanistan e attack last week at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, claimed the lives of 13 service members including 11 Marines, a Navy corpsman and an Army soldier assigned to a unit from Fort Bragg. Several Marines were wounded in the attack, said Marine Corps spokesman Maj. Jim Stenger. e attack was one of the deadliest of U.S. forces in the 20-year history of the war in Afghani- stan. "Freedom comes at a cost," Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger said while visiting Camp Lejeune, N.C. "I think the best that we can do from where we sit here in North Carolina is send them our prayers," Berger added. "ese fallen heroes answered the call to go into harm's way to do the honorable work of helping others. We are proud of their service and deeply saddened by their loss." ere were more than 2,000 Marines in Kabul, Afghanistan. ey had been rushed to the airport to aid in the evacuation of U.S. citizens and Afghans attempting to flee the country. ey mostly came from the Central Com- mand's 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force. e coronavirus pandemic worsens Fayetteville residents are being asked to wear face coverings when out and about in public and private places. Mayor Mitch Colvin issued a citywide state of emergency requiring everyone to wear masks when apart from household members. Masks are also required outdoors when physical distancing is not possible such as the ballpark for baseball games. Cumberland County Commissioners joined in requiring mask wearing in suburban and rural areas. ey voted unanimously last week to have the Cumberland County Health Department issue an order requiring everyone within the county limits to wear masks. County Attorney Rick Moorefield told commissioners that the order can be enforced with civil action and will be applied to all municipalities in the county. City and county leaders made their decisions because of the rapid spread of the corona- virus Delta variant. Gateway improvements are encouraged Residents of the new Ponderosa community off Bonanza Drive and city leaders were on hand for a neighborhood ribbon-cutting last month. Residents, officials of the city's Economic and Community De- velopment Department and Fayetteville-Cumber- land Parks and Recreation worked to refurbish the community entryway. e program fosters neigh- borhood pride in moderate income communities by providing funding for erection of neighborhood signs, landscaping and placemaking. e objective is to create quality neighborhoods. Residents in- terested in learning more about the Neighborhood Beautification Program should contact the Eco- nomic and Community Development Department at 910-433-1590. Additional information: www.fay- ettevillenc.gov/city-services/economic-community- development/neighborhood-resources. Fort Bragg soldier among troops killed in Afghanistan by JEFF THOMPSON NEWS DIGEST JEFF THOMPSON, Reporter. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss (Photo courtesy 1st Special Forces Command)

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