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Post 397 in Texas has raised $30,000 to assist the family of Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, who was killed during a July Iranian missile strike.

On July 17, Pvt. Isabella Gonzales was just 19 years old when she was among three U.S. Army 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command soldiers killed during an Iranian drone and missile strike while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.

The Carrolton, Texas, native, was just 17 when she decided to enlist in the Army, which she joined shortly after graduating from high school.

And since getting the news of her death, American Legion Post 597 in Carrolton has made it a focus to not only ensure Gonzales is not forgotten, but that her family knows they are not alone.

The post already has raised thousands of dollars to assist the extended family with travel, lodging and food, as well as any other expenses that may arise. Post 597 also hosted Gonzales’ family members for a much-needed break and will continue to be in contact for any future needs that come up.

“The first thing we heard from the mom was she was afraid that (Gonzales) would be forgotten at some point,” Post 597 Commander John Norsworthy said. “We did everything we could to honor and respect Isabella. That was the first and foremost thing. Every time I talk to a reporter I say, ‘This isn’t about me. This isn’t about the Legion. This is about Isabella and her family.’”

Norsworthy said he was contacted by the family’s advocate asking if there was anything the post could do. “We immediately set up a fundraiser,” he said. “So far, we’ve raised over $30,000, and it’s all for the family. We started asking what we could do.”

The post was able to secure housing for Gonzales’ extended family from South Texas to stay in the area prior to and after her Aug. 2 funeral. A post member even offered up her Airbnb. Post 597 also secured food for the family and worked with Southwest Airlines to get 12 donated round-trip tickets for family members to fly from Harlingen, Texas, into DFW.

The post also invited members of the public to come to the post to sign its memorial book, leaving a message of comfort, encouragement, prayer or remembrance for her family.

“That’s what the Legion’s all about, right? It’s what we’re supposed to do,” Norsworthy said. “You’re supposed to step up and support veterans in your local community and your local community. And she was both.

“And it hit close to home for me. My son is only 6 years older than her, and he went to the same high school that she did. I live maybe between a half of a mile to a mile away from where she did.”

A contingent of Post 597 members also attended Gonzales’ funeral. After the funeral, Norsworthy and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 597 member Lisette Johnson had lunch with Gonzales family.

Members of the family, in turn, asked if they could visit the post, which they did. “For a minute, they were able to forget everything and just share the love,” Norsworthy said. “There was a little bit of laughter. They played pool and danced a little bit. The hard times are going to be the quiet times down the road. I think having their whole family there was a little therapeutic.”

Norsworthy said Gonzales deserves to be remembered the right way. “She volunteered to go to Germany,” he said. “She had a choice of a duty station or taking a bonus. She took the choice of duty station. So then she went to Germany. And in Germany she heard about this mission in Jordan … and she volunteered for that. She was just an incredible young lady.”