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 .S. Army Sgt. Justin Bryce, 10, (center) was all smiles alongside his brother Pvt. Raymond Bryce (left) of Battery E, 7th Field Artillery Regiment from Fort Drum, N.Y., moments after being presented with a special memento from Capt. Aaron Hill (right), commander of the Fort Belvoir-based Military District of Washington Engineer Company and Spc. Juan Ferero of Headquarters Battalion (top center). Photo by Staff By U.S. Army Spc. Casondra Brewster Fort Belvoir, Va., Public Affairs FORT BELVOIR, Va. — On Christmas morning in Greene, N.Y., instead of opening gifts, Justin Bryce died. With his death, the Army lost a good soldier. He was a soldier’s soldier. A hero among heroes. And he was only 10 years old. “Sgt. Justin,” as his Army family lovingly dubbed him, fought an arduous battle with liver cancer. The cancer spread to his brain, but not before he had fulfilled a life-long desire to become a soldier. In early October the Army and the Make-A-Wish Foundation joined forces to help make Justin’s wish come true. For just three short days, one of which was spent here at Fort Belvoir, Justin was a soldier. He was enlisted in the Army by top brass at the Pentagon and promoted to sergeant by Sgt. Maj. of the Army Jack Tilley. He was a natural-born leader, assuming the command of a “top-secret mission” which recovered “sensitive and classified” equipment and information. “Let’s move out!” he commanded, just moments after being briefed on his mission. And before the day was over, he easily responded with the Army’s traditional, tried-and-true positive answer of “Hooah!” During his tour of duty, Justin managed to be awarded a Meritorious Service Medal and collect a couple dozen “challenge coins” from every leader he met. Additionally, he was loaded down with certificates of appreciation and achievement, plaques and other keepsakes from his Army “career.” He also took away a piece of heart from everyone who met him that day. He certainly made me blink back a few tears. Perhaps more importantly, he made me extra proud to wear “U.S. Army” across my chest. To think that this child could have literally chosen to do anything with his dying wish -- go to Disneyland, take a cruise with his family, or anything else his heart desired. But he wanted to be a “freedom fighter,” he told me when he was here. Justin followed in the footsteps of his eldest brother, Army Pfc. Raymond Bryce, who is assigned to Battery E, 7th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Drum, N.Y. During their visit to Belvoir, Sgt. Justin’s mom, Mary Bryce, said she wasn’t completely convinced that Raymond’s career choice was the reason Justin chose his Make-A-Wish wish. However, she said she was proud of both of her “soldiers.” “Besides, soldiers get to do cool things, and they get such awesome equipment,” Justin said. You know what, Sergeant, you’re absolutely right! Sgt. Justin embodied the teaching spirit of any good Army noncommissioned officer, too. He taught me quite a few things during our short tour of duty together. Besides giving me that added sense of pride in being a soldier, he taught me that our missions are crucial to the entire nation and that without the Army so many dreams, wishes and desires would never have an opportunity to come true.Sgt. Justin taught me that even the smallest person can have a big impact. He showed me that no matter how awful you feel, you can still smile and carry on. He reminded me that life is short, and you need to do what you love to do and be close to those you love. Fortunately, unlike some soldiers during times of battle, Justin died with his family surrounding him. He also will be wearing his custom set of battle dress uniform, identification tags, and highly polished boots to his final resting place. Now, because up-state New York resembles a quasi-frozen tundra, little Justin will not be buried until the spring. As his fellow comrade-in-arms, I’d like to go and show an Army family face at his burial. However, other missions will probably pull me out of the continental United States before the ground thaws. So, I’d like to invite other members of the Belvoir Army family to stay close to the Bryce situation and show support for Sgt. Justin’s family at his burial this spring. At a minimum, I’d like to invite all of you to send cards, letters or memorial donations. Correspondence for the Bryce family may be sent to: The Bryce Family, P.O. Box 104, Oxford, NY 13830. Justin’s mom can be contacted via e-mail at MaryBryce2002@aol.com . Memorial donations can be made to any of the following: Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York, Suite 900, Money Tower #2120 Madison St., Syracuse, NY 13202; or Ronald McDonald House of Delaware,1901 Rockland Road, Wilmington, Del., 19803. Other memorial requests can be found on Justin’s Web site at www.caringbridge.org/ny/justinbryce/index.htm. Currently, there’s a posting on the Web site that says Justin has earned his “Angel Wings.” I say he earned them a long time ago. When Taps plays tonight, I’ll be thinking of little-but-strong and big-hearted Sgt. Justin Bryce.
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