JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole Rotary Lunch Club presented Jim McCollum, father of fallen U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, with a Rotary Distinguished Service Award Tuesday, March 15.
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum and 12 other U.S. service members were killed in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 26, 2021, while evacuating U.S. citizens and allies from the Hamid Karzai International Airport.
Rotarian Ed Liebzeit, who also serves as Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 4274, recited a poem reminding all to “thank a soldier” for every freedom Americans enjoy. From freedom of speech to our right to vote, soldiers have fought and paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedoms remain and are protected, always.
President Jim Waldrop bestowed upon Jim McCollum and their family the award which read: In recognition of distinguished service in the United States Marine Corps exemplifying duty, valor, and honor, with gratitude from The Rotary Club of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Waldrop reminded Rotarians of Rylee’s story—one of a local Jackson child telling his dad he wanted to be a Marine at the age of six. He lived with a dedication to duty, service and country that will inspire our community and America for generations to come.
“We are honored and humbled that Jim McCollum joined us today. Words cannot express our heartfelt gratitude to U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum and his family for their service,” Waldrop said. “The McCollum family continues to honor the legacy of Rylee, and we are grateful for the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ and know his life will live on in them and his daughter Levi. May we all never forget that our daily freedoms, we often take for granted, as there because of soldiers like Rylee.”
