Rancho Cucamonga Marine Dylan Merola saluted at funeral for ‘saving lives’

The last of the three Marines from the Inland Empire killed in the terrorist attack in Afghanistan five weeks ago was eulogized Sunday, Sept. 26, by family and friends as a courageous young man with a huge smile who made a difference in life.

Lance Cpl. Dylan Ryan Merola, who was born in Upland and grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Covina, shortly after a funeral service honoring the fallen Marine that was attended by more than 300 family, friends and members of the public.

Merola, 20, was one of the 13 U.S. service members killed in the attack on Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 26. Two other Marines from the Inland Empire, Lance Cpl. Kareem Mae’Lee Grant Nikoui, of Norco; and Cpl. Hunter Lopez, of Indio; were also killed in the suicide bombing. Eight more Marines, an Army soldier and a Navy Corpsman were also killed in the attack, along with 169 Afghan civilians. At least 150 more people were injured in the bombing.

Merola’s flag-draped casket was brought to the platform beneath the cemetery’s Great Mausoleum by a Marine honor guard. There, more than a dozen speakers remembered him as larger than life, a man who was mature beyond his years.

His mother, Cheryl Rex, spoke last. In a touching tribute, she said that during the past month she relied on him to get her through her grief.

“You will continue to shine down on us,” she said. “Giving hope and courage until we meet again. Dylan, I love you so much. I know you will always be right by my side.”

Merola was part of the U.S. armed forces efforts that transported 30,000 people out of Afghanistan through the Abbey Gate, a main entryway in Kabul, as the government collapsed and the Taliban began to take over the country, said his commander, Capt. Jeff Ball.

Merola helped change the world for those who fled the country for a better life, Ball said.

“We need Marines who just keep going even when faced with the chaos and the madness,” Ball said. “We needed him on Aug. 26, doing the job he was meant to do and saving lives in the process.”

His platoon mate, Cpl. Osvaldo Ochoa, said that on that fateful day he took a photo of Merola atop a vehicle and Merola wanted him to take a group shot of the entire squad, which Ochoa described as “a band of brothers.” But he said no, that there would be time for photos later that night because it was the last day they would be needed at the Abbey Gate.

It is something he will always regret, said Ochoa, who reminded those in attendance to capture the special moments of life as they happen.

“I beat myself up over that,” he said. “Remember it is for you to cherish those memories forever.”

Merola’s younger sister, Olivia, said Dylan left without warning.

“My birthdays will never be the same. Because my wish now will be to have you back,” said the young girl.

Merola’s older brother, Branden Murrell, said his younger brother always knew how to care for other people.

“I am really grateful I can be your brother. One day, we can have a big old hug again and talk forever,” he said.

Most of the service was reserved for memories of Merola, who loved to hike and fish and eat large meals. His grandmother told of him washing down chocolate cake with a Mountain Dew.

His best friend, William Haddad, said that he was supposed to celebrate his 21st birthday Sunday with his best friend.

“Every glass will be raised to you until we meet again my friend. I love you Dylan. Brothers for life,” Haddad said.

Many remembered the boy who who grew up in Rancho Cucamonga and graduated in 2019 from Los Osos High School, where he spent time as a theater tech, helping backstage with school plays and performances.

Theater arts teacher Randy Shorts said he never gave any other student more responsibility than he gave Merola, who grew in confidence at a techie, while sharing his warm personality and leadership skills with other students and staff.

“He was honest, hard-working, friendly, a great listener, talented, a natural leader, courageous and was always ready with a laugh and a smile,” Shorts said. “Whenever we think of Dylan we think of that smile. His huge grin could make you smile on your worst day.”

He challenged everyone to “live like Dylan,” that is, to make a difference in someone’s life. “In short, live to honor others and that will honor Dylan because that is how he lived his life.”

To close the service, country singer Coffey Anderson sang “Mr Red White and Blue” as he did at many of the other funerals for service members who perished in the attack. He also sang “Amazing Grace.”

Merola also was saluted Tuesday, Sept. 21, when thousands lined the streets from Ontario International Airport to Rancho Cucamonga during a procession to honor him.

At a Sept. 2 Central Park memorial vigil, Merola’s mother said her son always wore military attire as a child.

“He wanted nothing more than to become a Marine,” Rex recalled that night.

Merola had been stationed in Kabul for less than two weeks and was planning to go to college and study engineering, according to Rex.

“You made a difference,” she said Sunday. “And it will never end, until we are together, again.”