Community Rallies Support for Fallen Soldier Declan Coady
An outpouring of support has surged through a GoFundMe campaign dedicated to U.S. soldier Declan Coady, with over $50,000 raised in a short span. The drive has seen hundreds of contributions, echoing the collective grief and solidarity felt for Coady and his loved ones.
Declan Coady, a 20-year-old from West Des Moines, Iowa, was one of four U.S. military personnel who lost their lives due to recent U.S. and Israeli military actions in Iran, which have sparked regional unrest. These operations began on a Saturday and are ongoing, leaving many questioning the motivations and potential outcomes.
Having enlisted as an Army Information Technology Specialist in 2023, Coady was posthumously promoted from specialist. His military accolades included the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the GoFundMe campaign for Coady had collected approximately $54,000 from 666 donations within 21 hours of launching, with a target of $75,000. The page describes his death as “an unimaginable loss” for his family.
One supporter, Travis Terrell, contributed $50, stating, “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 largest donation so far, amounting to $10,000, was made by Daniel Buroker.
Military.com reached out to Marianne Crandall, a family member and organizer of the fundraiser, for comments.
A GoFundMe spokesperson assured Military.com that the fundraiser is verified, stating, “Our Trust & Safety team is monitoring the platform for fundraisers for the other victims.”
Honoring Other Fallen Heroes
In addition to Coady, three other soldiers—Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Fla.; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Neb.; and Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minn.—were killed in an unmanned aircraft system attack on March 1 in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. All were part of the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, Iowa, which provides essential supplies.
The Pentagon has announced that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General U.S. Army Reserve Command, stated, “We honor our fallen Heroes, who served fearlessly and selflessly in defense of our nation. Their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, will never be forgotten.”
Harter further expressed, “On behalf of the Army Reserve, we express our heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones. We remain steadfast in our commitment to honoring the legacy of our fallen and supporting their teammates and families during this difficult time.”
On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the death toll of American soldiers has increased to six, with the recovery of two previously missing service members.
Heartfelt Tributes and Personal Reflections
The Coady fundraising page reflects on Declan’s life and legacy:
“Declan was more than a soldier—he was a son, a family member, a friend, and a light in the lives of those who knew him. He served his country with honor, courage, and dedication, embodying the very best of what it means to wear the uniform.”
“No family is ever prepared for the sudden loss of a child. During this incredibly difficult time, we are asking for support to help ease the financial burden facing the Coady family. Funds raised will assist with funeral and memorial expenses, travel costs, and other unexpected expenses as they navigate this heartbreaking time.”
According to the Associated Press, Coady informed his father, Andrew, about his upcoming promotion from specialist to sergeant. Andrew Coady shared, “He was very good at what he did,” despite being one of the youngest in his class.
Declan Coady was trained as an IT specialist with the Army Reserves and was simultaneously pursuing a degree in cybersecurity at Drake University, where he took online courses while stationed in Kuwait.
“I still don’t fully think it’s real,” Keira Coady told the AP. “I just remember all of our conversations about what he was going to do when he came back.”
Drake University released a statement expressing their sorrow: “We are heartbroken to learn that Declan Coady—a well-loved and highly dedicated Drake University student studying information systems, cybersecurity, and computer science—was confirmed to be among the six U.S. service members killed in Kuwait on Sunday.”
“He has bravely served in the U.S. Army Reserves since 2023 as an Information Technologies Specialist and had an incredibly bright future ahead of him. In moments like these, we must all come together to show much-needed love and compassion for the Coady family through this incredibly difficult time.”
