Rylee McCollum.Photo: 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton/U.S. Marines/AP/Shutterstock
Her mother, Jill Miller Crayton, also helped share the happy news, writing on Facebook, “I would like to introduce my sweet sweet granddaughter, Levi Rylee Rose McCollum. She came roaring into this world and graced us all with her presence at 2:18 am this morning an un medicated, lightning quick delivery. She can already do no wrong ever in my eyes.”
“Having almost been born in Nevada, I am so glad she wasn’t. I flew into San Diego yesterday thinking I would have ‘mother daughter bonding time’ with Gigi before she became one herself, this sweet thang had a different plan,” the new grandmother continued. “I am fiercely happy and proud today.”
McCollum, a 20-year-old lance corporal for the U.S. Marines, died along with more than 100 civilians during a suicide bombing and gun attack late last month, which occurred during evacuation efforts at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.
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ISIS-K, a branch of the Islamic State opposed to the Taliban and the U.S., later claimed responsibility for the attack, according toCNN, which alsoreportedthat at least 20 Marines were wounded in the attack, and more than 170 people were killed.
AGoFundMecreated for McCollum’s family and “dedicated to the education and upbringing” of his daughter has so far raised over $675,000 in donations, surpassing its initial goal of $5,000.
McCollum had been dreaming of joining the Marines since he was a 3-year-old growing up in Wyoming, his dad Jimrecently toldThe New YorkTimes: “He’s the most patriotic kid you could find. Loved America, loved the military. Tough as nails with a heart of gold.”
If you would like to support those in need during the upheaval in Afghanistan, consider:
source: people.com
