Stephenson is among the American families given gold star status by the U.S. military after losing a close relative serving in a war or other conflict. Her son was 13 when the United States was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, and he vowed that evening to become an Army Ranger. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has fled the country, and Afghans who assisted the United States are trying to escape amid chaotic scenes at Kabul's airport. The Gold Star mother said she has never felt anger about her son's death. she said, adding that she believes U.S. troops should have been pulled out of Afghanistan before her son was deployed there.
