Jackson man among Marines killed in Kabul blast
Rylee McCollum remembered as courageous from the day he enlisted
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — A Jackson man was among 13 troops killed in the Kabul suicide bombing in Afghanistan.
Rylee McCollum was listed as one of the Marines killed in the blast. McCollum was a 2019 graduate of Jackson Hole High School.
Regi Stone, along with his wife Kim, who owned a retail shop in Jackson and led worship at then-River Crossing Church, remembered McCollum as a courageous young man who enlisted in the Marines along with their son, Eli. Stone and his wife Kim posted on Facebook about having McCollum over for dinner one night.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of this brave Marine. When it comes to the definition of courage, Rylee McCollum is it,” Stone posted. “One evening as we were all having dinner, Kim tried giving her best motherly advice and suggested that they let someone else go in first if the time ever came. Without hesitating, they both said, ‘If anything ever happens to us, just know we were doing what we loved.’”
Charlotte Reynolds, communications director at the Teton County School District, also reached out.
“The entire TCSD family is heartbroken to share the news that 2019 graduate Rylee McCollum was one of the 13 American Marines killed in yesterday’s bombings in Kabul, Afghanistan. Rylee is a former student of Jackson Hole High School and graduate of Summit Innovations School,” she shared. “We send our deepest sympathies to his family, the friends he made in our community, and the staff who had the chance to work with Rylee. We honor and thank him for his service and are humbled by his ultimate sacrifice in protecting others.”
Governor Mark Gordon also made a statement today.
“I’m devastated to learn Wyoming lost one of our own in yesterday’s terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of U.S. Marine Rylee McCollum of Bondurant. Jennie and I, along with all of Wyoming and the entire nation, thank Rylee for his service,” Gordon stated.
McCollum leaves behind a wife, Jiennah, who is reportedly with child.
Semper Fi
