Even as a young man, Collin wanted to be a Marine. He hated to read but give him a book about the military and he would read it over and over again. Collin was never afraid to follow his dreams or his passion which ultimately is where he excelled. Collin was introduced to 1stSgt Pelley while he was in the 7th grade. He received a Marine Corps lanyard and wore it proudly in middle school. He participated in excursions to Parris Island with the White Knoll HS NJROTC, even before he went to high school. Collin was a prankster and delighted in doing things that only Collin could get away with doing. He had many friends in high school, he relished his skill on the NJROTC rifle team. Collin wore his uniform as a cadet because he didn't have a choice, he HAD to wear that uniform once per week and so he wore it with pride. As soon as he graduated from high school, Collin joined the Marines and proudly served in Charlie Company, First Battalion Fourth Marines, with the machine gun (Criminal Guns) section. He was well known and liked by all, even when he did stupid stuff like wearing his dress blues delta's with blue tennis shoes. (Who gets away with that?) Collin Teem that's who!
At the conclusion of his four years in the Marines with his Honorable service discharge, Collin decided to leave the Marines and go fight for the freedom of others in a foreign land. Ukraine was much different than the life Collin had in California with the Marine Corps and even though he didn't have a battalion who had his back, Collin was in Ukraine with other jarheads who had decided to test their battle mettle as well. This crew and Collin became part of a team who took care of each other, defended and held territory together, sweat, bled and fought together. Collin was thriving, developing a rapport with others and learning that life is short. On May 4th Collin called his mother and told her that he had decided to come home and visit family. Collin had seen brutality and death, he had witnessed firsthand what is was like to be on the receiving end of lethal fire. He had hopes in the next year to come home permanently, as he had been accepted to college and was ready to share with others what he had seen, ready to perhaps settle down just a little bit.
Sadly on May 11th 2024 Collin was killed on the battlefield in Ukraine. While it is still unfathomable that this vibrant, young man so full of life is gone, we cannot forget. Collin didn't live by the standards of others, he lived by his own standards, the standards of taking care of his brothers, taking care of those fighting men to his left and his right. Collin lived a life few will ever live, he did what he wanted to do, and in the process, he gave the last full measure for others.
Please join me in honoring Collin and his life by running with this team. The TEEM team. Thank you. 1stSgt David Pelley, USMC (Ret.)
Born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries forward a legacy of courage and heroism. Built upon the mantra, “While we have time, LET US DO GOOD,” the Foundation supports our nation’s fallen and catastrophically injured first responders, military heroes and their families.
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