Fallen soldier’s father knows sacrifice US troops made in Afghanistan

A Southwest Florida family we spoke to knows the sacrifice many families dealt with over the last 20 years while our troops were in Afghanistan.

U.S. Army Capt. Daniel Eggers died in Afghanistan in 2004. His family shared their feelings with us, as the war in Afghanistan has come to an end after 20 years.

It’s news Daniel’s father, Bill Eggers, hoped to receive sooner but was still glad to hear. He still remembers what his son said two weeks into his first deployment in Afghanistan.

“’There’s no way we can win this here,’” Bill recalled. “’We might as well go home right now because it’s a religious thing going on here.’”

That was back in 2003. Danny was killed in action in May 2004. His dad told us his son always went by the book.

Bill says his son would have been disappointed with how the evacuation was handled by the United States, especially after Danny and thousands of other soldiers gave their lives.

“They would’ve liked to have us leave with honor, not debacle but honor because … all those brave soldiers put their lives on the line,” Bill said. “That was their job.”

A memorial is planned to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice at Veterans Memorial Park beginning at 7 p.m. in Cape Coral.

Watching the way the war ended is heartbreaking for families such as the Eggers. To help ease that pain, the family received a letter last week from Fort Bragg. It says their service and sacrifice were not in vain.

“Danny, thank you for your service,” Bill said. “You did a damn good job.”