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An impressive show of solidarity emerged as a thousand supporters gathered to back the family of U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Declan Coady, amassing over $90,000 to aid the relatives of the 20-year-old soldier who tragically lost his life this week in the conflict with Iran.
Coady, who was pursuing his studies at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, was among six U.S. Army Reserve members who perished in a drone strike on Sunday at the Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait. This incident occurred while they were participating in Operation Epic Fury, as reported by the Department of War (DOW).
Following Coady’s identification on Tuesday, Marianne Crandall initiated a GoFundMe campaign, which by Thursday morning had attracted contributions exceeding $94,000 from more than 1,500 generous donors. The campaign names Coady’s father, Andrew, as the beneficiary of the funds.
“Declan was not just a soldier; he was a cherished son, a beloved family member, a trusted friend, and a beacon of light for everyone who knew him,” Crandall expressed on the GoFundMe page. “He served his nation with honor, bravery, and unwavering commitment, truly reflecting the highest ideals of wearing the uniform.”
Sgt. Declan Coady, along with five fellow U.S. Army Reserve soldiers, lost their lives in a drone attack in Kuwait on March 1, as confirmed by the U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk.
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.Â
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)
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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