Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, who was a baby at the time of the 9/11 attacks that prompted the United States to invade Afghanistan, was one of 13 members of the U.S. service killed during the bombing in the United States. Kabul airport on Thursday, KIRO reported.
McCollum, a native of Wyoming, was expecting her own baby in about a month.
McCollum was one of the first American victims identified in the attack, which also killed at least 170 Afghans, according to the New York Times. It was the highest death toll in the United States in an attack on Afghanistan in ten years, The Times noted.
Governor of Wyoming, Mark Gordon (R) confirmed the news on Twitter, saying he was “devastated to learn that Wyoming was losing one of ours in yesterday’s terrorist attack in Kabul.”
I am devastated to learn that Wyoming lost one of ours in yesterday’s terrorist attack in Kabul. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Rylee McCollum of Bondurant. Jennie and I, along with all of Wyoming and the entire country, thank Rylee for her service.
– Governor Mark Gordon (@GovernorGordon) August 27, 2021
Jim, McCollum’s father, told The New York Times that after learning of the news of the attack outside the airport, he contacted his son in a messaging app, but did not know nothing.
“In my heart yesterday afternoon, I knew it,” McCollum’s father said.
He told the Times in a telephone interview that his son was monitoring a checkpoint when the blast passed through the front door of the airport where civilians have gathered to escape the country.
McCollum’s father told the newspaper that two Marines knocked on his door at 3:30 a.m. to break the news.
McCollum married just before his deployment in April and his wife is currently at a San Diego base, according to East Idaho News.
Roice, McCollum’s sister, told the Casper Star-Tribune that becoming a marine had always been her brother’s dream.
“He wanted to be a Marine all his life and he carried the rifle with diapers and cowboy boots. He was determined to be in the infantry,” he said. “Rylee wanted to be a history teacher and wrestling coach when he finished serving his country. He is a tough, kind and loving guy who impacted everyone he met. His joke and wit brought so much joy.” .