US 13 PATRIOTS
This page is dedicated to our Gold Star families, Veterans and American Patriots unselfishly dedicating their time to keep the names and memories of our US13 and all Fallen Heroes alive.
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Meet Jim McCollum - Cowboy, Carpenter, Poet, Published Author and proud father to LCpl Rylee J. McCollum.
Empowering, imaginative, and timeless, "Moments and Memories" is a poetic exploration of the American West. Get in touch with the wonders and beauties of the landscape, the people, and the complexities of emotion. This collection of poetry is both thoughtful and reflective as author Jim McCollum – a lifelong Wyoming kid – reflects on his experiences through language.
Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee James McCollum was killed in action on Aug. 26 in Kabul, Afghanistan, while assisting in evacuation efforts at Hamid Karzai International Airport. He was 20. Rylee missed the birth of his daughter Levi. He was survived by Wife Gigi, Daughter Levi, Father Jim, Biological mother Kathy, Sisters Roice & Cheyenne.
Hi! My name is Lane Paakkonen-Mariona, I have served in the United States Navy for 3 years and now an incoming freshman at Oklahoma State University!
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I am 4th generation legacy military/ first responder in my family. I am also 2nd generation immigrant on my Mother's side, with our family coming from El Salvador. I enjoy exploring, hiking, playing basketball and baseball with my friends, cooking for my family, and going to the beach! I also love traveling!
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The Navy showed me how truly amazing the world is, so whenever I have a chance I'm on a train, plain, or boat to see myself make memories in it! When I'm not traveling, Oklahoma is where home is on my family's 400 acre ranch. I absolutely love running, I was in varsity cross country and long distance track in field in high school, now I run in 5ks, 10ks, and half-marathons in any city/ state I find myself in!
Every since my friend, LCpl Kareem Nikoui, and 12 other brave and courageous service members gave all in Kabul Afghanistan, I have dedicated myself to complete memorial runs in their honor. As a former sailor, I know how truly strong the bond between each service member is. Regardless if you're a Marine, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Soldier, or Airmen, we are all brothers and sisters. To me, if there is a community of people remembering who we lost and what they stood for, they are never gone!
That's why I will always run for my brothers and sisters, I will always run for my friend Kareem!
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The Keigan Baker Memorial Fund is a non-profit organization that was formed in memory and honor of A1C Keigan Baker, a U.S. Air Force Combat Controller, who gave his life in pursuit of his dream to serve and protect the United States of America. He was and still is our inspiration.
To learn more about this non-profit, visit our
website at KeiganBakerMemorialFund.org. We encourage you to join our Facebook Group (Keigan Baker Memorial) & follow us on
Instagram (@KeiganBakerMemorialFund).
You can also email us directly at KeiganBakerMemorialFund@gmail.com
to request more information.
Iron Major Leather Works was founded during the COVID-19 pandemic by Major Aaron Pluto. Having just submitted his application to retire from the Army after 20 years on active duty, businesses started shutting down and Aaron found himself looking for a job in a less than optimistic environment. A friend invited Aaron to come apprentice at his hobby leather shop called “Charred Embers and Oak” located in beautiful Vancouver, Washington. Over the summer of 2020, Aaron worked alongside his craftsman friend learning the business and finding it a therapeutic way to process his military experiences. Returning home to Austin, Texas in 2021, Aaron set about developing his own designs and creating a place where veterans could have a place to connect, work with their hands, learn something new and reinvent the team experience which was missing in their lives. Over beer, whiskey and cigars, ideas were formed, templates made, friendships forged and Iron Major Leather Works was born.
We hope that you enjoy not only the fine craftsmanship in our items but also appreciate the process through which these handcrafted leather goods evolve. Thank you for supporting our veterans and our small enterprise.
You can reach Aaron on or at aaron.j.pluto@gmail.com
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My name is Andy Vigil, I was raised in Layton Utah and now I reside in Clearfield, Utah. I graduated from Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah in 1969. I joined the Army in 1970 went to basic training in Fort Lewis, Washington and then to Fort Gordon, Georgia for Military Policeman training after completion of MP School I went to Incheon, Korea. There were about 20 of us that went under Special Orders under the Eighth Army Theater. We had several conflicts with North Korea. In 1973 I met Deborah Coxey. We got married on Dec. 13th, 1974. We have been married 47+ years with three great children, Andy B. Vigil (46), Danielle Vigil (43) and Levi Vigil (32). When I first heard about the Fallen13 in Afghanistan I wondered what I could do to Honor their Ultimate Sacrifice. So I came up with a Memorial Tribute for the families. It has been a Honor to be recognized by Kami Irwin and Crystal Turner.
My name is Alex Ramirez, owner of Luna’s Wood Works. Outside of my
day-to-day job responsibilities I find time to follow my passion as a
craftsman. I started making flags to honor our Military and First
Responders over 10 years ago. My wife and son both served in the military
and I wanted to find a way to thank all those who have served. My first flag
was a Blue Line Flag and the second was the American Flag. My
woodworking craftsmanship gives me the ability to give back with over
2,500 flags made by my hands, honoring those men and women. When
possible, I try to donate flags so our service-members and First Responders
know we will never forget their dedication and sacrifices. I have followed
my heart to give back to others.
Email me for more info on your flag!