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Over $1 million raised for family of Trussville airman killed in Operation Epic Fury
1819 News ^ | Erica Thomas

Posted on 03/26/2026 9:02:32 AM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege

The GoFundMe for a Trussville man killed last week during Operation Epic Fury has reached over $1 million in donations.

Maj. John A. "Alex" Klinner, 33, was one of six killed in an incident involving a KC-135 and another aircraft.

Klinner's sister-in-law set up a GoFundMe to support Klinner's wife, Libby, and the couple's three children. Within hours, the fundraiser reached its $150,000 goal, and it was increased to $1.5 million after donations poured in, surpassing $1 million.

Among donors was billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who gave $100,000.

Two others killed in the incident were from the 99th Air Refueling Squadron from Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham. Tech Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, and Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, were killed alongside three others from the Ohio National Guard.


(Excerpt) Read more at 1819news.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: epicfury; gofundme; iran; memorial; veterans; war
Ali Abbaszadeh

$1,326 11days ago

The American hero whose name is etched into both American and Iranian history. My family, friends and I pray to God and will never forget his sacrifices. We will continue to support all the families who have lost loved ones and every family member. He sacrificed his life to safeguard America’s security and save the lives and freedom of over 80+ million people in Iran who have been held hostage by the regime. May his soul rest in peace.

1 posted on 03/26/2026 9:02:32 AM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

That family photo just breaks my heart. Tears in my eyes.


2 posted on 03/26/2026 9:04:12 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

I just made my first-ever donation on GoFundMe. Thanks for posting this story for us.

I was donor #13609. $1,470,988 raised so far.


3 posted on 03/26/2026 9:22:26 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

What are the other 5 that were killed getting?


4 posted on 03/26/2026 9:28:06 AM PDT by aquila48 (Do not let them make you "care" ! Guilting you is how they control you. )
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

Good...if you give your life serving in our Armed Forces your widow and kids should be taken care of.


5 posted on 03/26/2026 9:34:11 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Import The Third World,Become The Third World)
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To: Gay State Conservative

No one gave my mother a million dollars when my Dad chose to stay with his crippled jet rather than let it crash into a populated area of Georgia.
She was 33 with 2 kids under 5 and 2 months pregnant.

The military did offer her an abortion.

She raised us on survivor benefits and banked the social security to pay for 3 college educations, no student loans.

I feel for the families and I understand what those kids face for the rest of their fatherless lives.

But this GoFundMe leaves a bad taste of greed masked as compassionate solicitation. A lot of military people die as heros, families do get by on survivor benefits, SS and whatever was prudently planned. Not all are selected as lottery winners.


6 posted on 03/26/2026 10:23:47 AM PDT by silverleaf (“Inside Every Progressive Is A Totalitarian Screaming To Get Out” —David Horowitz)
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To: aquila48

Ding ding ding


7 posted on 03/26/2026 10:24:05 AM PDT by silverleaf (“Inside Every Progressive Is A Totalitarian Screaming To Get Out” —David Horowitz)
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To: silverleaf

Your dad’s name?


8 posted on 03/26/2026 10:34:57 AM PDT by yldstrk
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To: silverleaf

/sigh


9 posted on 03/26/2026 11:50:09 AM PDT by higgmeister (In the Shadow of The Big Chicken! )
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

This veteran and retired Army Major thanks everyone who contributed and will do so. God bless you all.


10 posted on 03/26/2026 12:23:44 PM PDT by Midwesterner53
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To: yldstrk

My guess is 1LT Raynor Lee Hebert - a true hero.

Google AI:

1Lt. Raynor Hebert of the USAF is honored for sacrificing his life on May 13, 1964, by staying with his crippled aircraft to avoid crashing into Lincoln Elementary School in Georgia while school was in session. He chose to guide the plane away from students, dying on impact.
Pilot: 1Lt. Raynor Hebert, USAF.
Date: May 13, 1964.
Location: Georgia (Lincoln Elementary area).
Action: Stayed with the plane rather than ejecting to avoid a, likely fatal, crash into a populated school.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/118210030/raynor-lee-hebert


11 posted on 03/26/2026 2:01:40 PM PDT by jacknhoo (Luke 12:51; Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.)
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To: silverleaf

Did your father have a Service Mens Group Life Insurance (SGLI) policy?


12 posted on 03/26/2026 2:23:39 PM PDT by Jacquerie (ArticleVBlog.com)
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To: jacknhoo

Thank you. A true hero.


13 posted on 03/26/2026 2:29:43 PM PDT by yldstrk
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To: silverleaf
But this GoFundMe leaves a bad taste of greed masked as compassionate solicitation.

I agree. That also applies to LEO's who die in service. There are life insurance policies, and survivor benefits for the families.......

Not saying GoFundMe sites are bad, which they're not. But there are benefits for the survivors that are never mentioned.........

14 posted on 03/26/2026 2:36:53 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (AOC for President, 2028. And don't forget to detoxify your liver.)
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