This weekend, a memorial service was held to commemorate the 13 US soldiers killed in a suicide bomber in Afghanistan three years ago.

Money raised during the 13 Souls Memorial Run/Walk/Ride will benefit the families of other military personnel who were seriously injured in the August 26, 2021 attack.

The attack occurred during the evacuation of Karzai Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan and left 170 people and 13 US soldiers dead. Another 18 US soldiers were seriously injured.

The memorial event, which included ceremonies, music and booths, was organized by the family of one of the Marines who survived the attack and began at 6:15 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot of the Simi Valley Metro Link Station in the 5050 block of E. Los Angeles Avenue.

Each of the 13 miles of the race course is dedicated to each individual military member.

Shana Chapell, the mother of Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, was at the event. Her son had been helping three families the morning of the explosion and was on his way back to rescue a child when the bomb exploded. He was 20 years old.

“He loved being a Marine. He was very caring and funny. He had a great personality. His laugh was so contagious. When he started laughing, you couldn’t help but laugh. He loved life. That’s what helps me keep going in my life, remembering how much he loved life,” Chapell said. “He was just incredible in every way. He always put others before himself.”

The funds raised go to various charities that support military families.