Tragedy struck the small family of late Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum when they had a knock on their doorstep following the suicide bombing on August 26 in Kabul Airport.
The attack killed 60 Afghans and 13 US Troops. Among these was McCollum. He was married to Jiennah Crayton for less than a year and she was 35 weeks pregnant when they received the news.
Jiennah’s mother, Jill Miller Crayton, took to Facebook to say what was in her heart. She said, “My heart is incredibly heavy today. In the wee hours of the morning my beautiful daughter got that knock on her door that no military spouse wants to get…She’s 36 weeks pregnant and she lost her love. I never got to meet him, but I will meet his baby, and I will love and spoil that baby forever.”
On September 13, Jiennah gave birth to a girl. She named her Levi Rylee Rose McCollum. The baby weighed a healthy 8 pounds, 10 ounces.
According to Jill, her granddaughter came into the world full of life and as if she was roaring. She said that the delivery didn’t need any medication and it was lighting quick.
The family held up to the delivery to know the gender of the child. The new grandmother said that she always knew that she was going to be a girl.
McCollum’s family has also set up a GoFundMe page. According to reports, a total of $800,000 has been raised thus far. The funds can help Jiennah and her daughter through a tough time and for the immediate future.
We thank all our forces for their daily sacrifice and never forget their generous services. Let us continue to pray for the situation in Afghanistan so that no more families will lose a loved one.