Florida mourns Captain Khork, fallen troop in Iran conflict

Six U.S. service members have died since the war in Iran began, with four identified so far. Among them is Captain Cody A. Khork, a Florida native remembered by loved ones as the "life of the party."

Khork, 35, dedicated his life to serving his country. He enlisted in 2009 as a Multiple Rocket Launch System/Fire Direction Specialist while pursuing a degree at Florida Southern College. His military career included roles as a military police officer in the Army Reserve and deployments to Saudi Arabia, Guantanamo Bay, and Poland.

Khork and five other service members were killed during an Iranian strike on a tactical operations center in Kuwait. Family and friends describe him as kind, easygoing, and always smiling, and they plan to honor his bravery.

“Whenever there's a war, the youngest go out there and pay the price in the families at home suffer for it. So am I opposed to the war? I can't speak to that because I don't want to be political, but just people should understand that is always the young in their countries, right side or left side. It's always the young people who pay the price for these wars," said Terry Daugherty, a Vietnam War veteran.

Daugherty knows the painful reality of fallen soldiers not returning home.

“I have distinct memories that I won't speak to because they're heartbreaking and they're extremely painful," said Daugherty.

His message to families grieving or worried about loved ones in the Middle East is to know their service members are dedicated to protecting the country.

“Know that their loved ones are the most elite trained people in this world. They're the best. East, and they'll do their job until the war ends. However it ends, whatever happens, they're going to be the best," said Daugherty.

Captain Khork is remembered by his loved ones as one of the best. The identities of the two other fallen service members will be released 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.