Yarieliz Lopez is the daughter of Fernando Lopez Pujals, a US Army Veteran who bravely served four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Fernando was recently found deceased of unknown causes on May 7, 2026, in his residence in Kissimmee, FL. Yarieliz, a 21-year-old college student, is now facing the heartbreaking challenge of arranging her father’s funeral without the funds to cover the service.

Fernando was a kind, loving, funny, and crazy guy in the best sense of the word. He suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries while serving in combat zones, and his dedication to his country was unwavering. Yarieliz and her younger brother live in Clarksville, TN, and are struggling to manage the unexpected expenses that come with their father’s passing.

The funds raised will be used to cover funeral costs not covered by Veteran Affairs, as well as travel expenses for Yarieliz and her brother. As a Veteran myself, and someone who considered Fernando like a brother, my only ask is for family, friends, and fellow Veterans to come together to support his children during this extremely difficult moment in their lives. Any support will help ease the burden and honor Fernando’s memory.