Retired U.S. Army Sergeant Michael Verardo, a veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division who was severely wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan in 2010, passed away at the age of 40. Verardo underwent more than 120 surgeries and years of rehabilitation following his combat injuries. His service and sacrifice were recognized by various public figures, including former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence. In a related development, the U.S. Air Force announced it will provide full military funeral honors to Ashli Babbitt, an Air Force veteran who was fatally shot inside the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. This decision reverses a previous denial of honors, a move attributed to the Biden administration. The restoration of funeral honors for Babbitt was acknowledged by Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Air Force Under Secretary Matthew Lohmeier.