Rylee McCollum Wiki – Rylee McCollum Biography
Rylee McCollum was identified as one of 13 US Marines and service members who died in Kabul, Afghanistan, in an attack on the airport on August 26, 2021. McCollum, who was expected to be a father in three weeks, was remembered as “the definition of courage”. Chi McCollum, his sister, wrote on facebook, “Rylee James. My heart is completely shattered. I love you so much. You are my hero and you were going to be the best dad. I love you I love you I love you… Semper Fi ”.
On August 19, he wrote, “I am thankful every day that you are my brother. Stay safe, we love you. I can’t wait for you to come back to meet my niece or nephew. I love you Brotato 💗🇺🇸🦅⚓️🌎 ”. He was from Bondurant, Wyoming.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of this brave Marine,” Regi Stone wrote on Facebook.
When it comes to the definition of courage, Rylee Mccollum is it. We were lucky enough to have him at our home in Wyoming many times as he and Eli prepared to enlist together. They stayed out of trouble, which was not easy, because they were both very willing to serve their country. One night while we were all having dinner, Kim tried to give her best motherly advice and suggested that they let someone else in first if the time came. Without hesitation, they both said, “If something ever happens to us, just know that we were doing what we love. We are heartbroken but proud to have met this brave hero. Pray for your family, your wife, and your new baby that will be born soon. And let us keep all your marine brothers in our prayer. Semper Fi “.
ISIS is believed to be behind the attack, although that is still being confirmed.
John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, confirmed in a statement that “several US service members were killed in today’s complex attack on the Kabul airport. Several others are receiving treatment for injuries. We also know that several Afghans were victims of this heinous attack. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones and teammates of all those killed and injured. ”It was later confirmed that the number of Americans killed was 13 and another 18 injured.
The Governor of Wyoming declared himself ‘devastated to learn that Wyoming lost one of our own’
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon confirmed McCollum’s death on Facebook.
“I am devastated to learn that Wyoming lost one of our own in yesterday’s terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan,” he wrote.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of US Marine Rylee McCollum of Bondurant. Jennie and I, along with all of Wyoming and the entire nation, thank Rylee for her service. ”
McCollum, who wanted to be a Marine ‘all his life’, was expecting a baby in three weeks
The Casper Star-Tribune reported that Rylee McCollum was on her first evacuation deployment and was manning a checkpoint at the airport when she died.
Her older sister, Roice McCollum, told the newspaper that she was expecting a baby in three weeks.
“He wanted to be a Marine all his life and he wore his rifle in his diapers and cowboy boots,” McCollum’s sister said. “I was determined to be in the infantry… Rylee wanted to be a history teacher and wrestling coach when he finished serving his country. He is a tough, kind and loving boy who made an impact on everyone he met. His joke and wit brought a lot of joy. ”
She added: “Rylee will always be a hero not only because of the ultimate sacrifice she made for our country, but because of the way she impacted every life around her for the better. Making us stronger, kinder, teaching us to love more deeply. ”
Chi, Rylee’s sister, wrote on Facebook: “My hero, our hero, a fucking American hero. I love you.”
The area superintendent of schools pledged to find many ways to ‘honor Rylee for this final and untimely sacrifice’
McCollum graduated in 2019 from Jackson Hole High School.
Wyoming Superintendent of Schools Jillian Balow McCollum told the Casper Star-Tribune: “To say that I am grateful for Rylee’s service to our country does not begin to sum up the pain and sadness I feel today as a mother and as an American. My heart and prayers go out to Rylee’s family, friends, and the entire Jackson community.
Read Also: Who is Jared Schmitz? Wiki, Bio, Age, Tribute to Missouri Marine Who Died in Afghanistan
“In the months and years to come we will find many ways to honor Rylee for this latest and untimely sacrifice, but for now, my arms surround Rylee’s loved ones from afar and I pray they find some comfort.”
The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office wrote: “On behalf of Sheriff Grossnickle and the dedicated men and women of the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, we extend our condolences to the soldiers and civilians killed yesterday by terrorists in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of the victims, and we are especially devastated to learn that among the victims was one of Wyoming’s own, Rylee McCollum, a Marine from Bondurant, Wyoming. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. May God rest their souls in peace. We will never forget. ”
The Americans who died are heroes “engaged in the selfless mission of saving the lives of others,” says the president.
President Biden told a news conference that the dead service members were “standing guard at the airport … These American service members who gave their lives are … heroes … engaged in the selfless mission to save the lives of others “.
Biden said: “We will not be deterred by terrorists … we will continue the evacuation.” He said ISIS-K leadership and facilities will be targeted. More than 100,000 people were “taken to safety in the last 11 days. In the last 12 hours or so, another 7,000 have left, ”he said. “These ISIS terrorists will not win. We will rescue the Americans who are there … America will not be intimidated. ”
He called those who died “some of the most courageous, capable, and selfless military on the face of the earth … America’s backbone, America’s backbone, the best the country has to offer. Jill and I, our hearts ache for all those Afghan families who lost loved ones, including young children, in this cruel attack. We are outraged. ”
Biden mentioned his late son Beau, who served in Iraq, saying, Beau Biden “was diagnosed with aggressive and deadly brain cancer. We have the feeling that many of you do what the families of these brave heroes feel today. Feeling like you’re being sucked into a black hole in the middle of your chest. There is no way out. My heart aches for you. ”
He continued: “We have an ongoing obligation, a sacred obligation to all of you, the families of those heroes. The obligation is not temporary, it is eternal. Lives were given in the service of freedom, in security, in the service of others, in the service of America ”.
Other people who died in the Kabul attack are being identified
In total, 13 US servicemen died. Others are also being identified among them. Navy medic Max Sovia and Marine David Lee Espinoza have also been identified so far, as has Kareem Nikoui.
Jared Schmitz was identified by his father in a radio interview in St. Louis as one of 13 US Marines and military personnel who died in the attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 26, 2021. He was remembered as a “true American hero.” that he had always wanted to serve his country.
General Kenneth McKenzie provided some details at a press conference.
“We are still investigating the exact circumstances. The attack occurred at a door. At the gate we have to control people before they reach the airfield. We have to make sure they don’t carry a bomb, ”McKenzie said.
That required a physical exam, he said.
At a news conference, McKenzie said officials believe there are still just over 1,000 US citizens in Afghanistan. He said “not everyone wants to leave … yesterday we brought more than 500 US citizens.”
There are unusual challenges and competitive demands, he said. “The threat to our forces from ISIS = K is very real as we have seen today,” the general said. He said more than 104,000 people have been screened.
He said the threat from ISIS “is extremely real. We have been talking about this for several days … we believe it is their (ISIS) wish to continue those attacks. We hope those attacks will continue. ”The United States is closing in on the Taliban, he said.
“We continue to bring people to the airfield,” he said. “We will continue to process, float people … We will coordinate very carefully.”
He said there are “chains” of additional imminent threats, including the threat of rocket attacks.
“Our mission remains. We are still committed to getting people flowing… ”McKenzie repeated.
If we can find “who is associated with this, we will go after them,” he said.
“We are working to determine the attribution… we are prepared to act. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we are looking for them. ”
The deaths come the day after the U.S. Embassy warned stranded Americans not to go to Hamid Karzai International Airport due to threats from ISIS. the Wall Street Journal reported the day before the attacks swept through the city.
“American citizens who are at Abbey Gate, East Gate or North Gate must now leave immediately,” the alert said, according to the Journal. “Officials have been warning that members of the Afghan branch of the extremist group Islamic State were trying to mount an attack on military personnel or civilians at the airport.”
According to CNN, officials said the explosions in Kabul were “suicide” attacks. They believe they were perpetrated by the group called ISIS-K, but were still working to confirm that, CNN reported, adding that ISIS-K and the Taliban are “sworn enemies.”