Posted on 01/25/2011 4:38:34 AM PST by RoseyT
Hundreds of Elm Grove Middle School students gathered Monday afternoon in the school gymnasium for what they thought was a meeting with their new school counselor. They quickly learned that wasn't the case.
Instead, the entire school gathered to honor a classmate who's battling cancer.
13 year old Odie Harris who was diagnosed with liver cancer seven months ago and has been making regular visits to St Jude. His dream is to become a marine. Today that dream became a reality.
Members of the Bossier Sheriff's Department teamed with the Make A Wish Foundation to make Odie a member of the Young Marines Program which is a youth and service program.
Odie heads back to St. Jude Tuesday, but this time, he'll be going as one of the few.. the proud... the Marines.
Found this report here:
There was not a dry eye in that gym, not even the men. Ihave to tell you, Odie looked grown-up today. He has no color but, I really think he knows that it's not good for him and he's OK with it. It's like he's at peace with it. He really looked happy. So, if you all would continue to pray for him and keep him in your thoughts. Thank You So Much. God Bless You All.
Prayers for this young Marine bravely fighting his own hard and difficult battle with cancer. At least now he is fighting it as a Marine.
http://www.bossiersheriff.com/public-view-news.cfm?id=1104
http://www.kmsstv.com/news/13-year-old-becomes-honorary-marine
I meant to thank you for pinging me on this. Sorry!
Pinging those of you who commented on Odie’s story.
One year to the day after his diagnosis, our honorary young Marine, Odie Harris, at the age of 13, joined his Marine Corps brothers and sisters who have gone before him.
I do not believe it would be fair to say that Odie lost his battle against cancer. Through his bravery and God’s mercy, he has been freed from the bondage of his broken little body and is in pain no more. He will be greatly missed by many.
Words cannot describe my sadness upon hearing of his departure.
God always takes the best, first.
Very sad news. Prayers for Odie’s family and friends. He was a brave, young man who used the limited time he had for greatness. I am sure a lot of fallen Marines met him at heaven’s gate.
Ping
He was a Marine. The loss of young men has always been a sad component of the price of the service of the United States Marine Corps, and Odie was just a bit younger than many or most of them who've spent their last moments of life in the service of their Corps and country.
Every Memorial Day, a portion of that Rememberance is reserved for our Marines, including Odia no less than the others.
Semper Fi, Odie. You really were, Always Faithful. Damn fine Marine, that kid.
Thank you again for your thoughtfulness. He touched people all over the earth. He received a flag which had flown over a Marine Corps base in Afghanistan, was awarded an FBI badge (although he was too sick to attend the ceremony). His name, face, and bravery have become known across the world.
How very sad.Prayers for the young man and his family.
Wishing your cousin’s family and you, Rosey T God’s comfort and peace.
Thank you for posting the original article and update.
It was truly a moving experience getting to know a little bit about Odie and his bravery.
Rest in peace young Odie, guarding the streets of heaven.
Prayers for his family & all who knew & loved him.
I know that each anniversary of his passing and his birthdays will be hard to bear.
But it was just not meant to be that he lived those years on earth.
He is now where he is supposed to be and he now has a perfect glorified body in Heaven. He is now with the Lord and is among the angels and all those persons who went before him.
The remaining job of us here who are still alive on this earth is to make sure that we will deserve to go to Heaven when we ourselves pass on one day so that we can one day meet up with him. May God Bless you and your family, and keep you strong in the knowledge that Odie will now be forever in Heaven and forever a Marine.
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