Posted on 03/21/2008 5:40:04 PM PDT by dbehsman
FORT HOOD – Five-year-old Gaven Cox was given one wish to do anything he wanted.
Instead of asking to go to Sea World or to meet Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Gaven modestly asked for some McDonald's food. The child's parents laughed and told him to make another choice.
"He told us he wanted to be an Army soldier," said Melissa Heminger, Gaven's mom. "I was a little bit surprised that he asked for McDonald's, but in reality, he wanted to be a soldier since he was 3."
Gaven, who is diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, was granted one wish by the Make-A-Wish-Foundation.
Heminger said Gaven's stepfather was a former soldier and his Army medals fascinated Gaven.
While the Army has age restrictions on how old a person must be to enlist, it decided to make an exception.
Gaven, the nation's youngest soldier, is from Crandall and was "sworn in" there. Crandall is 27 miles southeast of Dallas.
The 5-year-old and his family arrived at Fort Hood early Thursday morning and were greeted by more than a dozen soldiers. He was wearing a miniature-sized combat uniform. In a few minutes, he was given a Kevlar helmet and dog tags and was promoted from specialist to sergeant.
After his promotion, young Sgt. Cox gave a proper Army salute and was given a mission.
"All right, Sgt. Cox, your mission is to go through that gate, ride a horse and kill five enemies," said Sgt. Christopher Gaines. "Are you ready?"
His 8-year-old sister Jade shouted, "Let's get them!"
After defeating the "enemy" on horseback, the country's youngest soldier got to do what most never get to do: Gaven flew a Longbow helicopter.
Well, sort of.
(Excerpt) Read more at kdhnews.com ...
Sgt. Christopher Raines (left) looks at Sgt. Gaven Cox as he is escorted to the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment where he was hoisted onto the back of a horse for a quick trip around the corral.
I’m sure the libs will condemn this for prodding a young boy into the ways of war and the (shock!) miliary! Maybe they’ll
drag out the old Jules Feiffer cartoon Munro (about a 4 yr old boy mistakenly drafted into the Army—anti-war, IIRC). Of
course, here the boy is a willing soldier.
Anyone remember when Laura Ingraham talked about a female
soldier who lost a leg in battle and wishes she could still fight on? “I’m still a soldier!” This boy has that same
attitude. He doesn’t have time for his illness -there’s
work to be done and he’s volunteered to be in the military.
Let’s see the moonbats protesting the war show such
courage!
“Let’s see the moonbats protesting the war show such
courage!”
No can do. Polish on their nails, and paint on their signs hasn’t dried yet. And algore forbid they should miss out on tofu or Starbucks.
Indeed. I saw this on tv a couple mornings ago.
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