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Marine husband killed weeks before his baby daughter is due

Posted at 8:31 AM, Sep 26, 2014
and last updated 2014-09-26 09:24:33-04

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. — More than $37,000 has been raised online for a Virginia woman and her unborn baby. The woman, Taylor Adams Strong, was married to Marine Sgt. Charles Strong. Charles Strong, 28, of Suffolk, was killed in combat September 15 in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Sgt. Charles and Taylor Strong

“Please keep Taylor and their daughter in your prayers and thoughts,” friend Heather Chavez wrote on the GoFundMe page she set up for the Strongs. “I cannot imagine what she is going through and I know these next days, months, and years will be extremely difficult. I am trying to raise money to buy Taylor the rocking chair she wanted. It would remind her of how loved her and her daughter are and give her a little peace.”

The Strong’s daughter is due in December, according to a photo posted on the page.

Charles Strong 02

Chavez said any extra money that was raised would go directly to Taylor to spend as she wished.

In addition to the online fundraising effort, the Massad Family YMCA in Falmouth, Virginia has organized a donation drive.

“Helping her with this baby is helping her get through this horrendous part of her life,” Devlin Richards, from the Massad YMCA, told Fredericksburg.com.

While the Strongs lived in Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, their family roots remain in Virginia.

Donations, either monetary or tangible gifts, can be dropped off at the Massad YMCA located at 212 Butler Road in Falmouth, Virginia. Taylor Strong’s baby registry can be found at Babies “R” Us, Targetand Buy Buy Baby.