"Our lives will never be the same." Christy Shamblin, whose daughter-in-law, Marine Sergeant Nicole Gee, was one of the 13 American service members killed in an ISIS-K terror attack during the chaotic August 2021 U.S. pullout from Afghanistan, is still processing such a monumental, earth-shattering loss. "She was our light, but she was also a light for so many other people," Shamblin told CBN News. "We've changed everything about how we live with her loss. We won't be the same people ever again."

Shamblin's raw pain is still evident. And yet the undaunted and brave Gold Star family member has spent the past two-and-a-half years sharing about Gee, critiquing the U.S. government's widely rebuked pullout, and demanding answers. The impact of Gee's death on Shamblin was immeasurably clear and present throughout the conversation, with her praise for the late soldier's character radiating through. "Nicole ... was a superstar," Shamblin said. "She was dynamic and amazing. She had a positive mental attitude and she expressed that to everybody she came in contact with."

She said Gee was incredibly proud of her service in the Marine Corps and at Abbey Gate, where the deadly bombing unfolded. "She knew she was saving lives and she was extremely proud," Shamblin said. "And there's nothing you want more for your kids than to have them be proud of what they're doing." Nearly three years later, Shamblin said processing the loss of Gee and all that unfolded in Afghanistan is "a work in progress." She and her family members were so proud of Gee's passion and bravery, thus the loss, in light of Gee's love for her work, sparked a "bittersweet feeling" in the wake of her killing — a mixture of pride and lament.

Shamblin was in attendance during President Joe Biden's State of the Union address earlier this month, which she called "disheartening," yet predictable. "I have pretty low expectations these days," Shamblin said, noting she "wasn't surprised" by Biden's SOTU speech. "He ... it doesn't flow together. It's not relevant what he's speaking about — to what is in the room, to what's happening in the country." She continued, "I feel like he's disconnected from what the people are concerned about. And it's hard to see that. ... I think that, largely, they've lost sight that ... the people that fight these wars are young men and women who sacrifice their lives and they don't get the respect. We don't even get attention from our administration much less respect." Watch her explain.

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