In Loving Memory of Sgt. David J. Coullard
January 16, 1973 – August 1, 2005
Sgt. David J. Coullard, a dedicated Marine and beloved son, made the ultimate sacrifice on August 1, 2005, while conducting combat operations outside Haditha, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Forces Reserve’s 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, based in Brook Park, Ohio. His unit was attached to Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Tragically, Sgt. Coullard and five of his comrades were killed by enemy small-arms fire during an ambush.
Born on January 16, 1973, and raised in Glastonbury, Connecticut, David dreamed of joining the U.S. Marine Corps from a young age. He graduated from Glastonbury High School in 1992, where he played soccer and was known for his quiet determination. His yearbook message foreshadowed his future: “Thank you, Mom, for everything. Marines, here I come.” After a brief stint at Manchester Community College, David followed his passion and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve about ten years before his deployment to Iraq.
David’s service took him across the globe. He trained in Parris Island, served in Norway, the Swiss Alps, Panama, Japan, and the Philippines, and eventually volunteered for combat duty in Iraq. As a sniper, he was a vital member of his unit, displaying exceptional skill and bravery. His commitment to his fellow Marines and his country was unwavering, even in the face of danger.
Sgt. Coullard was recognized for his valor and dedication with numerous awards, including two Purple Heart Medals, the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and the Iraq Campaign Medal, among others. These accolades are a testament to his courage, professionalism, and the high regard in which he was held by his peers.
David was not only a Marine but also a skilled hunter who loved the outdoors. He often went deer and boar hunting, always ensuring he respected nature by never leaving an animal injured in the woods. His mother, Anita Dziedzic, who raised him as a single parent, fondly recalls their many shared activities, from target shooting to snowmobiling. David’s sense of humor and mischievous grin brought joy to those around him, even in the most challenging times.
Despite the dangers he faced, David remained committed to his mission and his men. Just a month before his death, he was injured in the line of duty but quickly returned to serve alongside his comrades. His emails to his family were brief yet filled with love and reassurances, reflecting his unyielding spirit and dedication.
David’s family, friends, and community deeply mourn his loss. Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell ordered all state flags to be lowered to half-staff in his honor, acknowledging the immeasurable sacrifice he made for his country. His mother, stepfather, and countless others continue to honor his memory, drawing strength from his bravery and the promise he made to his mother during her time of grief: “Mom, you’re going to be OK.”
Sgt. David J. Coullard’s legacy lives on through the lives he touched and the freedoms he fought to protect. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women, and the enduring spirit of those who serve. He is a hero, forever remembered and cherished.
SGT David Coullard Golf Outing 2025
21st Annual SGT David Coullard Golf Outing
Friday September. 11, 2026
Schedule
7:30am Registration begins
coffee/donuts & Goodies.
9:00AM Shotgun Start
Contents:
- Lowest score
- Longest Drive
- Closest to the Pin
- Closest to the Line
Entry Fee $175.00. Includes; Round of Golf, Cart, Lunch on the Turn Refreshments during Play.
***Dinner at 2:00pm***
The cost of the dinner is $65.00. with prizes & raffle to follow.
The program benefits;
Peter P Monaco Jr Detachment 40, MCL, Cape Ann Veterans Services, Semper Fi Fund, Honor Flight. Maynard, Ma, Paralyzed Veterans of America, St Jude Children’s Hospital And other Veterans causes
Download Brochure & Registration Form (click here)
Hosted By:
SGT.David Coullard Memorial Fund
Location
201 Pattonwood Drive
Southington, CТ 860-793-6000
I am not a veteran. I am a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary. But in 1991, personal loss brought me to a place I never left.
Over two decades later, that loss led me to the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut, where I took on the coordination of Wreaths Across America — which grew into the largest and fastest growing veterans program in the state. I didn’t do it for recognition. I did it for them.
In 2016 I founded the Connecticut Veterans Bulletin. Not because I served, but because I believe those who did deserve to be honored, connected, and kept alive.
Twenty-two veterans die by suicide every day. I knew about that number before it became a hashtag. I knew it personally, long before anyone was talking about it.
This publication exists because that number is unacceptable. Because every veteran in Connecticut deserves to know someone gives a damn.
That someone is me.
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