In a heartfelt show of solidarity, a thousand supporters have come together to assist the family of U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Declan Coady, who tragically lost his life amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. The rally raised an impressive sum of over $90,000 to aid the family of the 20-year-old soldier.
Sgt. Declan Coady, a dedicated student at Drake University from Des Moines, Iowa, was among six Army Reserve soldiers who perished in a drone strike at the Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait. The incident occurred on Sunday as part of Operation Epic Fury, as confirmed by the Department of War (DOW).
Following the news, Marianne Crandall established a GoFundMe campaign to support Coady’s family, which has successfully garnered more than $94,000 from over 1,500 donors by Thursday morning. The funds are directed to Coady’s father, Andrew, who is named as the beneficiary.
“Declan was more than a soldier,” Crandall expressed on the GoFundMe page. “He was a son, a cherished family member, a friend, and a beacon of light for everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His service to our country was characterized by honor, courage, and unwavering dedication, encapsulating the essence of what it means to wear the uniform.”
Tragically, Sgt. Coady and his fellow soldiers met their fate on March 1 during the attack. As the youngest of the four soldiers identified by the DOW, Coady had enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2023, working as an information technology specialist. In recognition of his service, he was posthumously promoted from specialist to sergeant.
Coady, the youngest of the four fallen soldiers identified by the DOW, enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2023 as an Army information technology specialist and was posthumously promoted from specialist to sergeant.
Drake University confirmed Coady was studying information systems, cybersecurity and computer science, and described him as “well-loved and highly dedicated.”
This photo provided by Andrew Coady shows his son, Declan Coady, posing for a photo on the day of his graduation at U.S. Army Training Center at Fort Sill, Okla., March 15, 2024. (Andrew Coady via AP) (Andrew Coady via AP)
Along with their gifts, GoFundMe donors sent heartfelt messages to the family, expressing their condolences and thanking Coady for his service.
“Thank You for your bravery, service and sacrifice,” Brandi Vinson wrote. “God bless and comfort his family.”
Another donor, Travis Terrell, wrote, “My heart truly goes out to Declan’s family and everyone who loved him. No family should ever have to experience a loss like this. You are in my thoughts, and Declan will not be forgotten.”
The fallen service members were identified as Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Lakeland, Florida; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of Des Moines, Iowa. Two additional soldiers killed in the attack have not yet been publicly identified. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk; Fox News)
The campaign’s top donor, who was listed as Daniel Buroker, gifted the family $10,000, according to the site.
Crandall said funds raised will assist with funeral and memorial expenses, travel costs and other unexpected costs.
“Let us come together to honor Declan’s life, his service, and his sacrifice — and to surround his family with love and support,” she wrote.
Buroker, whose identity could not immediately be confirmed by Fox News Digital, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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