It is with a heavy heart that I share this devastating news—Marine Sgt. Kevin Lloyd, a hero who once fought for our freedom overseas, is now fighting for every breath in his final moments. The message I received tonight shook me to my core, and I’m writing this with a deep sense of sadness and urgency. This is the story of a soldier who gave everything for us, and who now needs our support and love in return as he faces his final hours.
In a text that no one ever wants to receive, Kevin’s former wife and caregiver shared this update:
“Ryan, I don’t know that he will make it through the night.”
Sgt. Kevin Lloyd, a man who dedicated his life to serving our country, is now on high-flow oxygen—the only thing keeping him coherent in his final hours. His strength, bravery, and resilience that once carried him through the toughest of battles are now giving way to the harsh reality of his illness. As of tonight, he is surrounded by his family, including his children, who are rushing to his bedside to say their goodbyes.
In an incredibly emotional moment, his former wife shared a poignant message of love and peace:
“He agreed to keep it on until midnight. My children are on their way to say goodbye. I told him he fought his battle—and we will take it from here.”
The pain of hearing these words is immeasurable. This is not just a soldier who served bravely in a foreign land, but a father, a friend, and a man who was left to face the very system that failed him in his time of need. His former wife made a painful yet powerful statement about the failure of the VA to provide the medical equipment necessary to bring him home safely. Despite the best efforts of his family, he decompensated before they could get him to the safety of his own home.
Yet even in the face of this heartbreaking reality, there is one thing that has carried Kevin through the toughest moments: the American people.
When the government systems and military bureaucracy turned their backs, the people of this nation stepped in. Kevin’s former wife shared, “When the Marine Corps and the VA left him behind, the American people did not.” That statement, filled with raw emotion, speaks volumes about the bond we share with those who serve us. It is a reminder that, no matter the failures of institutions, the spirit of humanity—the spirit of the American people—has the power to lift someone in their darkest hour.
Kevin’s former wife also shared the powerful gesture she hopes to carry out after his passing:
“The cards, the coins, the patches—I want to display them at his funeral… so he knows he wasn’t forgotten.”
These simple tokens of gratitude—cards, coins, and patches—are not just symbols of his service; they are symbols of the love, admiration, and respect we hold for him as a nation. They are a reminder that the sacrifices of those who serve us do not go unnoticed, and they should never be forgotten.
This is where we come in. Kevin, in his final moments, needs to know that he is not alone. The weight of everything he has endured—the battles fought, the sacrifices made, and the injustices faced—must not be borne in isolation. As a community, as a nation, we have the opportunity to make sure that he knows how much we appreciate him, how much we love him, and how deeply we are grateful for his service.
We can make sure that Kevin’s family, in this time of unimaginable pain, knows that we are standing with them, with him, in his final hours. If you are reading this, I ask you to take a moment—pause whatever you are doing—and send a message of love, support, and gratitude to Kevin’s family. Leave a message below for them to read aloud to him, a final tribute to a hero who is not only a symbol of strength but a reminder of the power of community.
Every card, every message, every moment of kindness matters. Kevin’s former wife shared that she hopes these gestures will remind him that he wasn’t forgotten. By reaching out, we can show him that he has not been forgotten—by all of us.
Kevin Lloyd may no longer be able to hear the cheers of those he served with, or see the faces of those who admired him. But in his final moments, we have the chance to make sure he hears the echoes of our gratitude and appreciation. It’s the least we can do for a man who has given so much to us.
As a country, we owe Sgt. Kevin Lloyd more than words can express. He gave everything for our safety and our freedom, and now it’s time for us to give something back—a final salute to a man who deserves nothing less than our deepest respect and admiration. His story, his sacrifice, and his bravery will never be forgotten.
Please, take a moment to send a message to Kevin and his family. Let him know that, in his final moments, he is surrounded by love and gratitude. He will not die alone. He will die knowing that the American people—us—stand by him in his final battle. This is our chance to show that the bonds of humanity are stronger than any bureaucratic system, and that even in his final hours, Kevin will know that his legacy of courage, sacrifice, and strength lives on in all of us.
Rest in peace, Sgt. Kevin Lloyd. You will never be forgotten. 💛
