Senators honor fallen service member Declan Cody during points of personal privilege

Senators paused the day's business to honor Declan Cody, a 20-year-old from West Des Moines who was killed in action in Kuwait. Senator Hardman, who said he spoke at a send-off ceremony, described Cody’s service and asked colleagues to keep the family in their thoughts. “I am profoundly moved by his service to our country and in awe of his bravery in the face of escalating danger,” Hardman said.

Senator Blake followed with personal remarks about deployment and read two final paragraphs from a letter he had written to his own son to illustrate the emotional toll of military service. Blake said he had not spoken to the soldier’s family but offered the reading as a way to honor Cody and other service members.

The senators identified Cody as a recent graduate of Valley High School in West Des Moines and a member of the ROTC at Drake University. Both speakers framed their remarks as personal tributes and urged colleagues and the public to remember the family in the days ahead.