- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Dover Today
By the People, for the People
Mother of Soldier Killed in Iran War Tells Trump: 'Go Get 'Em'
Donna Burhans, whose son Cody Khork died in the conflict, says she has faith in the president's judgment.
Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:25pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The solemn dignity of a fallen soldier's final journey home reflects the complex emotions of a nation at war.Dover TodayDonna Burhans, the mother of Maj. Cody Khork who was killed in the U.S. war with Iran, spoke with President Trump at a dignified transfer ceremony in Dover, Delaware. She told him she does not blame him for her son's death and urged him to continue prosecuting the war, saying "Go get 'em." Burhans said she has faith in Trump's judgment and believes he is doing everything the right way.
Why it matters
The war with Iran has been a contentious and divisive issue, with many questioning the necessity and execution of the conflict. Burhans' perspective, as the grieving mother of a fallen soldier, provides a personal and emotional insight into how some families of the military are responding to the war.
The details
Maj. Cody Khork, 35, was one of 13 U.S. service members killed in the war with Iran on March 1, the second day of the conflict. Khork, an Army reservist, died when a drone struck a port in Kuwait. He had previously served deployments in Poland, Saudi Arabia and Guantanamo Bay. Khork's mother, Donna Burhans, said he loved the military from an early age, having grown up on military bases. She described him as a 'hero' and said she is 'so proud of him.'
- Khork died on March 1, 2026, the second day of the U.S. war with Iran.
- Burhans spoke with President Trump at a dignified transfer ceremony in Dover, Delaware last month.
The players
Donna Burhans
The 67-year-old mother of Maj. Cody Khork, who was killed in the U.S. war with Iran.
Cody Khork
A 35-year-old major in the Army Reserve who was killed in the war with Iran on March 1, 2026.
President Donald Trump
The U.S. president who Burhans says she has faith in to prosecute the war with Iran.
What they’re saying
“Trump knows what he's doing. He knows exactly what he's doing, and he's doing everything the way it's supposed to be done. I have my trust in him and God.”
— Donna Burhans, Mother of Fallen Soldier
“I told him to finish it. I said, 'Go get 'em.' This is what my son signed up for.”
— Donna Burhans, Mother of Fallen Soldier
What’s next
The U.S. and Iran continue to negotiate a potential peace deal, though the war remains paused. The outcome of these negotiations will determine the next steps in the conflict.
The takeaway
Burhans' unwavering support for President Trump's handling of the war with Iran, despite the tragic loss of her son, highlights the complex emotions and perspectives of military families during times of conflict. Her story underscores the need for empathy and understanding as the nation grapples with the human toll of war.
