UPDATE: We did not expect this level of generosity in such a short turnaround. For this reason, I’m raising the goal to $50,000. We will use these funds for travel reimbursement for the whole company to visit gravesites and the families of those who were killed well into 2022. I hope you can understand how much your generosity is helping these folks heal. Thank you from the bottom of my family’s heart. 

— 

On August 26, at around 1730 at Kabul Airport, Ghost Company was rushing to save as many people as possible at the Abbey Gate before they were required to cease processing evacuees. Alongside many other members of 2/1, the Army, and British Paratroopers, the Marines and Sailors of Ghost, were pulling families out of the canal when a suicide bomber detonated his device from the other side of the water. All those working to save Afghans and Americans were fully exposed to the blast. Nine Marines of Ghost Company were killed and over 20 wounded.

 

Currently, the Marine Corps does not pay for Marines to travel to the memorial services or gravesites of their fellow Marines. While this is unfortunate, there is something we can do to support these men and their families. Right now, they need support reimbursing the expenses of Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum's memorial service which is on October 23rd. The family is looking for donors to reimburse the rental of a large tent for the reception ($5,000). Additionally, 56 Marines from Rylee's company will be able to attend the services. We are hoping for support to reimburse the room cost, which is $119 per room for 28 rooms ($3,335). While the total reimbursement amount is $8,335, we have set a fundraising goal of $10,000 should additional memorial service costs come up. Anything over that amount will be used for future reimbursement for the Marines who were not able to attend the memorial services to travel to gravesites (which, depending on how much we raise, is likely another fundraising opportunity that will be forth coming).

 

Anything you are able to do is an immense help and a reminder to Ghost Company and their families that there is a community behind them, their service and sacrifice is being honored, and that the world has not moved on.

 

In memoriam:

 

Lance Corporal David Espinoza of Rio Bravo, TX

 

Corporal Hunter Lopez of Indio, CA

 

Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum of Jackson, WY

 

Lance Corporal David Merola of Rancho Cucamonga, CA

 

Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui of Norco, CA

 

Corporal Daegan Page of Omaha, NE

 

Corporal Humberto Sanchez of Logansport, IN

 

Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz of St. Charles, MO

 

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Maxton Soviak of Berlin Heights, OH

Note: I am the sister of Ghost Company Commander, Capt. Geoff Ball. I am been given authorization to raise and distribute funds by the recipients. All reimbursements will be tracked and I am happy to provide a record of receipts for each transaction.