\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCalifornia may be where Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan\u2019s story began, but for nearly two decades, the Des Moines area was where he built a second home\u2014one defined by service, mentorship, and the kind of loyalty that doesn\u2019t end when a uniform comes off.Marzan’s remains are back on U.S. soil as of Saturday. Funeral details are still pending, but friends of Marzan say being present for his final farewell feels nonnegotiable.\u201cIt\u2019s not a question,\u201d said Connor Kuehl, a former soldier who served under Marzan. \u201cIt\u2019s just who\u2019s going to do it and how \u2014 how do we all get it done?\u201dA mentor who became \u201clike a father\u201dKuehl is one of dozens who say Marzan took them in, guided them, and helped them find direction\u2014often at pivotal moments in their lives and careers.\u201cHe became, definitely, like, a father to me,\u201d Kuehl said. \u201cCome to find out, as I\u2019m talking to people, that was actually the norm.\u201dThat theme is echoed by military families who knew Marzan beyond drill weekends and deployments.\u201c(The Marzans) definitely served as the surrogate family for a lot of soldiers,\u201d said Ashley Kopf, whose husband, Sgt. First Class William Kopf, also served under Marzan. She said Marzan and his wife opened their home for holidays, celebrations, and support during hard times\u2014becoming a steady presence for soldiers who were far from home.\u201cHe\u2019s just been an instrumental person in people\u2019s lives,\u201d Kopf said. \u201cAnd they want to pay their respects.\u201dA push to bring the 103rd to SacramentoBecause Marzan spent nearly two decades in the Des Moines area, the bonds he built in Iowa run deep. Now, that community is working to ensure as many of his fellow service members as possible can travel to Sacramento for his funeral.A GoFundMe has been launched to help cover airfare and lodging for soldiers who want to attend but can\u2019t afford a last-minute trip. Organizers say more than $19,000 has already been donated, with the goal of supporting at least 27 people planning to make the journey.Kuehl said the hope is to cover a flight and hotel for each soldier who wants to be there \u2014 both to honor Marzan and to grieve together.\u201cThere\u2019s definitely a sense of closure,\u201d Kuehl said, describing the importance of being able to gather with others who knew Marzan closely. \u201cI just know it would mean the world to those folks to be able to go.\u201dSupport offered beyond one soldierKuehl also said the effort isn\u2019t limited to Marzan alone. If loved ones of other fallen soldiers need help traveling for services, organizers are encouraging them to reach out for support as well.Donations can be made through the GoFundMe fundraiser here: Support Travel for Rob Marzan \u2013 Fallen Soldiers (GoFundMe)Kuehl is also accepting direct donations via email: ckuehl91@gmail.comMental health supportKuehl and others in the 103rd community say they\u2019re also gathering in the Des Moines area to support one another and can be contacted through Kuehl. For service members and families grieving a fallen soldier, help is also available through Military OneSource. Support specialists can be reached at 1-800-342-9647, and more information on mental health support is available here:\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\tDES MOINES, Iowa \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
California may be where Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan\u2019s story began, but for nearly two decades, the Des Moines area was where he built a second home\u2014one defined by service, mentorship, and the kind of loyalty that doesn\u2019t end when a uniform comes off.<\/p>\n