[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 134 (Thursday, August 20, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E794-E795]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF SERGEANT DECLAN COADY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ZACHARY NUNN

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, August 20, 2026

  Mr. NUNN of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
Sergeant Declan Coady of West Des Moines, Iowa, who was killed on March 
1, 2026, in an Iranian drone strike while deployed to Kuwait with the 
103rd Sustainment Command. Declan was just 20 years old. In a life cut 
far too short, he showed a rare devotion to service, to his country, 
and to the family he loved.
  Declan was born on May 5, 2005, in Manassas, Virginia, the third 
child of Andrew and Katherine Coady. He grew up in West Des Moines 
alongside his siblings, Aidan, Keira, and Rowan, The Coady's spent 
their time camping in our national parks, hiking, rafting, and 
exploring the outdoors. Declan and his brothers all earned the rank of 
Eagle Scout, but ever competitive, he set out to earn the most merit 
badges--and finished with 56.
  After graduating from Valley High School in 2023, Declan enrolled at 
Drake University to study information systems, cybersecurity, and 
computer science. He also enlisted in the Army Reserve, completing 
Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill in March 2024 and Advanced 
Individual Training that July.
  At Drake, Declan joined ROTC and faced a choice that says more about 
his character than any words could. He could have signed an ROTC 
contract and stayed home when his unit deployed. Instead, he chose to 
go with the soldiers he had trained beside. In August 2025, he deployed 
to Kuwait with the 103rd Sustainment Command.
  His family could hear in every call home how much his service meant 
to him. Even from halfway around the world, he made time to play video 
games with Aidan and to talk with his parents, Keira, and Rowan about 
their lives and their plans for the future. He dreamed of becoming an 
officer, talked about extending his deployment and going on to active 
duty, and stayed enrolled at Drake the whole time--studying online from 
Kuwait, an ocean away from campus.
  Declan had his whole life ahead of him. Yet at just 20, he had 
already made a choice generations of Americans before him had made: 
when his country called, he answered, and when his fellow soldiers 
deployed, he chose to stand beside them. I have served beside men and 
women who made that same choice, and it tells you everything about the 
kind of person Declan was.
  Declan is survived by his parents, Andrew and Katherine; his 
siblings, Aidan, Keira, and Rowan; his grandparents, Larry and Sandra 
Coady; and the many relatives, friends, classmates, and fellow soldiers 
who will carry his memory forward.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Sergeant 
Declan Coady, a devoted son and brother, a soldier, and a proud Iowan 
who gave his life in service to our Nation. May we keep the Coady 
family and all

[[Page E795]]

those who loved Declan in our prayers. Iowa will never forget his 
service or his sacrifice.

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