A former Jackson student was one of the 170 people and 13 U.S. Marines killed in Afghanistan following Thursday’s attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport.

Rylee McCollum was a former student of Jackson Hole High School, graduate of Summit Innovations School and high school wrestler. He was also a brother, son, friend, husband and soon-to-be father to a baby due in three weeks.

He died after a suicide bomb blew up as Western forces were evacuating thousands of people out of Kabul on dozens of military cargo aircraft flights.

Gov. Mark Gordon ordered all American and Wyoming flags in the state to be flown at half-staff through Monday in honor of McCollum.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of U.S. Marine Rylee McCollum of Bondurant,” Gordon said in a statement. “Jennie and I, along with all of Wyoming and the entire nation, thank Rylee for his service.”

In a response to the attacks, President Joe Biden said to the grieving families, “My heart aches for you, and I know this: We have a continuing obligation, a sacred obligation to all of you, the families of those heroes. That obligation is not temporary. It lasts forever.”

McCollum was supposed to come home at the end of September, according to his sister Roice McCollum. Her brother signed up to join the military the day he turned 18, she said; McCollum’s father once described him as “full-blooded red, white and blue.”

“He wanted to be a Marine his whole life and carried around his rifle in his diapers and cowboy boots,” Roice McCollum wrote to the News&Guide. “He was determined to be in the infantry and this was his first deployment.”

In his last conversation with his sister, about a month before he died, McCollum talked about wanting to see the cabin the family was working on when he returned to Wyoming, she said. He also expressed his nervous excitement to become a father with his wife, whom he married just before his deployment.

When McCollum finished serving his country, he planned to work as a history teacher and coach, his sister said.

“He wanted to be a wrestling coach and help change other kids’ lives like it changed his life,” she said. “To his friends and teammates and coaches, he was family. Rylee will always be a hero not just for the ultimate sacrifice he made for our country but for the way he impacted every life around him for the better.”

Hundreds of people shared their condolences with McCollum’s loved ones on Facebook, who shared the news of their loss.

His sister posted: “Rylee James. My heart is completely shattered. I love you so much. You are my hero and you were going to be the best dad. I love you, I love you, I love you … Semper Fi.”

One comment read: “Damn this hurts a lot, he was one of my good friends in bootcamp and even outside of the military, I send my heart out to you guys.”

Another read: “I can’t take this. He’s been in our home so many times and was one of my sons best friends. I’m so sorry.”

These thoughts were echoed by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow, who issued a statement in a Wyoming Department of Education press release.

“Saying that I am grateful for Rylee’s service to our country does not begin to encapsulate the grief and sadness I feel today as a mother and as an American,” Balow wrote. “My heart and prayers are with Rylee’s family, friends, and the entire Jackson community.”

The Teton County School District released a statement, describing itself as “heartbroken.”

Another person mourning McCollum’s death was Jackson Hole American Legion Post Commander Joseph Burke, who plans to redo the American Legion monument on Town Square with McCollum’s name and a notation that he was killed in action.

“I certainly hoped we would never have to add another name with KIA behind it to our monument on the square,” Burke said.

The commander said the Legion would offer to be a part of Honor Guard services for McCollum. Burke also noted that he’s not used to offering those services for people as young as the former Jackson student.

“It’s always older people that we do these for,” he said. “Not the young ones.”

Burke added that, “Things are distant when you’re watching TV or picking up the newspaper, but then when it’s this close to home, the reality sets in of how close we all are.”

All three members of Wyoming Congressional delegation issued statements paying tribute to McCollum.

U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., called McCollum “a true American hero,” noting he joined the Marines right out of high school.

U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., similarly praised McCollum’s bravery and patriotism.

“His willingness to put himself in harm’s way to keep our country safe and defend our freedom represents a level of selflessness and heroism that embodies the best of America,” Cheney said in a statement.

U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., also offered her condolences to McCollum’s family, though “there are no words sufficient to comfort a family after hearing news like this.”

“Rylee sacrificed his life in service to his country and to the brave Afghans who partnered with us during our mission in Afghanistan. His sacrifice will not be forgotten,” Lummis said.

McCollum’s remains and those of the other 12 Marines killed in action will return to their hometowns in the United States for services. One is returning to Wentzville, Missouri; another, to Laredo, Texas. McCollum is returning to Jackson, where he wrestled, went to school and developed the dream to serve his country.

McCollum’s sister Roice said her family would likely receive his remains on Monday. Funeral plans will follow.

She invites people to join the family as they grieve their loved one.

“I know it would mean a lot to him to know how many people really cared about him,” she said.

A GoFundMe page set up to raise funds for McCollum’s unborn child had raised nearly $425,000 by Monday morning.

(CJ Baker contributed reporting.)