Brittany got to know of her husband's death after she got a call that said, “Your husband fought bravely but unfortunately he did not make it.”
Willy Joseph Cancel, a 22-year-old Marine veteran from Orange County, New York, has died while fighting against Russian forces in Ukraine. Cancel is believed to be the first American killed while fighting in the war, according to CBS News, as relatives say he was killed fighting alongside Ukrainian forces.
Cancel, who joined the conflict in March, reportedly worked for a military contracting company that sent him to Ukraine. He leaves behind a wife and 7-month-old son, Anthony.
Cancel's mother, Rebecca Cabrera, told CNN that her son was hired in February by the company while working as a corrections officer in Tennessee, full time. "He wanted to go over because he believed in what Ukraine was fighting for, and he wanted to be a part of it to contain it there so it didn't come here, and that maybe our American soldiers wouldn't have to be involved in it," Cabrera said.
Now, Cancel's widow, Brittany, said she sees her husband as a hero. "He didn't go over there for money or any personal reason. He just, he wants to help the innocent people of Ukraine. That's all he wanted to do," she said.
BREAKING: U.S. citizen Willy Joseph Cancel was killed in Ukraine while fighting alongside Ukrainian troops against invading Russian forces, his family confirms to @ABC News. https://t.co/fLWXAt2tQ0 pic.twitter.com/HaQJ8L6ksH
— ABC News (@ABC) April 29, 2022
Brittany reportedly received a call informing her of her husband's death on April 26, according to a GoFundMe page set up by a man identifying himself as Cancel's father. "On April 26th, his wife got the worst call of her life, 'Your husband fought bravely but unfortunately he did not make it,'” the description on the page reads. "Our entire family is simply distraught and we have no idea how to continue," the page reads.
"Since that April 26th phone call, her life has completely fallen apart and now she has to figure out how to build it back together, to figure out how to raise her son without his father or financial support. As a family, we are trying to support them as much as possible and be there for each other, but Brittany and Anthony will need more than what we can provide."
Meanwhile, the bereaved family also revealed that Cancel's body had not yet been recovered.
"A family is mourning, a wife is mourning, and our hearts are with them," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said. Psaki also added Americans should not travel to Ukraine for any reason.
22-year-old Willy Joseph Cancel is the first American who was killed fighting alongside Ukrainian forces.
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) April 29, 2022
He leaves behind a 7-month baby and a wife. "It was either grab his body or get killed, but we would love for him to come back to us," his mother saidhttps://t.co/VjZ8MLMltB pic.twitter.com/VpXPUBjKe3
"We know people want to help, but we do encourage Americans to find other ways to do so rather than traveling to... rather than traveling to Ukraine to fight there. It is a war zone," she said.
Orange County's executive, Steven M. Neuhaus, said he was saddened to hear of Cancel's death in a statement. "We will never forget Willy’s bravery and sacrifice, and Orange County’s thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time," Neuhaus said, per USA Today.
President Joe Biden was asked about Cancel's death during an unrelated event at the White House on Friday. “It’s very sad. He left a little baby behind,” Biden said.
References:
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/04/28/politics/american-killed-ukraine/index.html
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-raise-funds-for-willy-joseph-cancels-family
Cover Image Source: GoFundMe | Help raise funds for Willy Joseph Cancels family
