Fox News Digital interviewed Jim McCollum, the Gold Star father of Rylee McCollum, who died on Aug. 26, 2021 while serving his country in Afghanistan.
This is part 3 of Fox News Digital's Freedom Isn't Free series honoring America's fallen heroes. Gold Star father Jim McCollum 'start chasing what really matters in life' after his son's death in Afghanistan. U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee J McCollum was killed in action alongside 12 other American service members at then-Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 26, 2021. Rylee was 20 years old and left behind a wife and unborn daughter.
McCollum added, 'I always go back to the Star Spangled Banner and Taps. You can't look at that flag or hear either one--I can't anymore--without tearing up. I've always had respect for the flag and loved what it represents, but it has definitely taken on a whole new meaning.' Rylee, a native of Wyoming, was a lifelong wrestler and a 'history buff.
McCollum recalled, 'they were supposed to deploy, I believe, in April. And then COVID hindered that, which actually benefited Rylee. He had just got married, and they had a baby on the way, and he was able to take care of getting housing at Camp Pendleton.' 'We make fun of him a little bit because Rylee was Rylee, and sometimes he was kind of irresponsible.
McCollum reflected on the community built alongside other Gold Star families of the 13 lost that day, saying, 'I may have lost a son, but I've gained a family.'
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