A family dedicated to serving the community and the country is reaching out for help. A U.S. Army National Guard sergeant from Gloversville took his own life at his home, last week.

Sergeant Kenneth Winston Wrobel Jr., 30, will be laid to rest Friday. He left behind a wife and two children. His family is wondering how they would afford what is not covered by the U.S. Military.  

His wife, Rebecca, wanted to share what people in her position face. She spoke to NewsChannel 13 less than a week after her world turned upside down.

“He really did try and do everything he could to give our kids the life that he never had. He never wanted our boys to struggle or know what struggling was,” she said.

The Gloversville man was an amazing father to their boys, ages 2 and 6, she said.

“He worked endlessly. Whatever job paid more, he went to, whether it was overnights, days, mid-shift. On top of it all, he was still a soldier,” she said.

Rebecca and Kenneth served county and country. He was recently promoted to sergeant, having served most recently in Kuwait. He was set to deploy again next year. She is a deputy with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

Rebecca said Kenneth was not fond of the idea of her serving and protecting at first, but had warmed up to the idea and always been supportive of her goals.

“He was proud of me, and I would not be where I am today without him. I wouldn’t have made it through academy, I wouldn’t be a deputy at this point without his support,” she said.

She had long tried to address his pain, but he kept it close and never let people see the depth of his struggles with mental health.

“I tried to get him to get help, for years, but he was always too proud – and I understand that – but I had wished that he would have. They can preach it all they want, every day, and tell you you can go get help, but it’s a lot harder than just going to get help,” she said. “But I just wish there was more options for him, and he felt like there were more options for him while he was still here.”

Facing a new reality, Rebecca was surprised to learn she was saddled with most of the costs.

The military would take care of Kenneth’s burial and honors, and she said they had been very helpful. But even after he served nearly a decade, she had questions about her and her boys’ insurance and how much help they would get.

The U.S. Army said Tuesday that a service member’s status as a reservist or Army National Guard member, as opposed to active duty status, could affect benefits the family receives.

“To my understanding, I thought that you protect and serve your country, and they’re supposed to protect you when you’re gone. Regardless of the situation of how you left this world,” Rebecca said.

People from all over have stepped up to help, she said.

“I’ve had so many people reach out, people I’ve never met. I’ve seen pictures I’ve never seen,” she said. “He had a beautiful smile, and beautiful eyes, and he always made sure he left a room with everybody smiling. He was everybody’s comfort.”

 A GoFundMe had raised more than $10,000 Tuesday, which she said would just cover funeral expenses.

“I don’t feel like there’s enough out there to help families in these types of situations. Every family should get the same amount of help and benefits the other family would get,” Rebecca said.

The funeral is Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Saratoga National Cemetery. It is open to the public.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, the national 24/7 crisis line is 988.