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Remembering Abbey Gate: Tyler Vargas-Andrews and Zach Bell on Survival, Sacrifice, and Purpose

Author
Ryan Manion
Published
Thu 21 Aug 2025
Episode Link
https://the-resilient-life.simplecast.com/episodes/tyler-vargas-andrews-and-zach-bell-109-8qqbfL5r

On August 26, 2021, a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan claimed the lives of 13 American service members and 170 Afghan civilians. Marine Sergeant Tyler Vargas-Andrews survived that day, though with life-changing injuries, and has since carried the stories of those who were lost.

In this moving episode of The Resilient Life, Ryan Manion is joined by Tyler as well as Zachary Bell—best known as Veteran With a Sign—for a conversation about service, sacrifice, and healing. Tyler shares candidly about his survival, the weight of grief, and how he continues to find purpose in honoring his brothers and sisters in arms.

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