2 posts tagged “soldier for a day”
OK, I cannot get enough of Gaven and his bravery and Army career (honorary). He has definitely become my most favorite Soldier.
From the Ft. Hood Sentinel I found a story about Gaven's next step in his Army career. Apparently he did such a great job at Ft. Sam Houston that he was sent immediately to Ft. Hood to help out there. GOOD JOB Gaven! We are so proud of you for the great contributions you have made to the Army! You are an inspiration in every possible way.
Continued prayers for Gaven's recovery and for good health for many many years to come.
Many, many thanks to the wonderful Soldiers at Ft. Hood for making SSG Cox so welcome. HOORAH!
And now for another fantastic photo before the story:
Young Soldier earns his stripes
In a recent demonstration, dangerous mock terrorists infiltrated a heavily-guarded Central Texas base and there was only one person who could get the job done. Who knew the safety of the 1st Cavalry Division would be left in the hands of a 5-year-old?
Through the Make-A-Wish foundation, Staff Sgt. Gaven Cox took a break from his battle with cancer to “Soldier up” with his team members assigned to Troop C, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, for the top secret ‘find and destroy’ mission March 20.
Alongside his fellow comrades with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, he saddled up with the division’s horse detachment, flew a virtual Apache helicopter combat flight over the Iraqi capital, and maneuvered on a Black Hawk – all before lunch time.
Gaven and his personal flight crew with Company C, 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, took flight in search of the make-believed insurgents, which was the first half of his mission.
“The pilot actually did some pretty hard banks,” Sgt. David Raines, a cavalry scout, said, who rode with the soon to be 6-year-old. “I’ve done about 20 different rides in combat and none of them were ever like that.”
Gaven’s mother Melissa Heminger told reporters that her son, who was diagnosed with leukemia in December 2007, has been a Soldier since he was three and has proven it more and more each day the last couple of months.
“I look at him everyday and he’s fighting it,” Melissa said. “I know that there are days it’s hard for him to just walk to the bathroom, but he just keeps going strong and keeps smiling. The things that children can overcome are amazing.”
“Gaven’s courageous story pretty much mirrors what were fighting for,” 1st Lt. Christopher Hall, the officer in charge the Make-A-Wish project, said. “We go through a lot, but Gaven also has been through a lot. It shows what we’re doing overseas, what we do everyday is worth while when you see the kind of strength in a kid like that - five years old and fighting as hard as we are.”
Later in the afternoon, as part of Gaven’s mission, he traveled to the Engagement Skills Trainer where he used an arrangement of military weapons to take out the animated enemies. He got six confirmed kills.
When asked what his favorite part of the whole day was Gaven said, “Riding in the humvee.”
With the mission completed and a handful of Soldiers standing at attention Gaven, who originally wished for some McDonalds, smiled as he was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant – it only took him about a week.
I used to think I was in love with the Army. Now I know I am. Look at Gaven's face in the photos. Now that's one happy Soldier! And doesn't he look handsome in his uniform? I am so thankful for men like Major General Czerw, his staff and all of the Soldiers at Ft Sam Houston for making Gaven's wish come true. Prayers for healing and good health for Gaven.
From Defenselink:
Boy’s Wish Comes True at Fort Sam HoustonBy Phil ReidingerSpecial to American Forces Press Service |
| FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, March 27, 2008 – Gavin Cox could have traveled to any exotic locale or tried any profession in the world, but this 5-year-old with leukemia had just one wish: to be a soldier.
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His wish was granted March 18 when he became a soldier for the day here.
“He could have chosen any activity during this break in his treatments, to include Disney World,” said Gavin’s father, Troy Heminger. “He wanted to be a soldier.”
During a solemn ceremony in the Army Medical Department Center and School command conference room, the little boy stood proudly on the conference room table surrounded by soldiers of all ranks. Dressed in an Army combat uniform, Gavin was promoted to the honorary rank of sergeant in the Army Medical Department by the installation commander, Army Maj. Gen. Russell Czerw.
Contacted by the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Czerw agreed to honor the boy’s request, planning a day for him to train with the Army’s medics.
Army Master Sgt. Maurice Sims, command retention noncommissioned officer, presented the Cox family members, including sister Jade and brothers Chandler and Zane, with Warrior Ethos packs, recognizing their role in helping their father, Troy, and mother, Melissa, during Gavin’s chemotherapy.
The training day for Sergeant Cox began with a trip in a tactical vehicle to the ES 2000 weapons training facility, where he earned his marksmanship badge. He then took a break from training to join soldiers at the Rocco Dining Facility. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joey Wrinkle stood outside with a platoon of soldiers assigned to 187th Medical Battalion representing all the medical specialties trained by the battalion. Assigned to the platoon for lunch, Sergeant Cox led the guidon bearer and the formation into the dining facility.
“I presented him with my airborne wings. He is strong and brave like an airborne soldier, and he deserves to be recognized. This is about what we do as soldiers,” Wrinkle said.
During lunch, soldiers stopped by to wish Gavin well and present their own badges to him. He left the dining facility with air assault and expert medic badges added to his uniform.
At his next stop on the training schedule, he visited the Department of Combat Medic Training and watched soldier-medics training with a human patient simulator. He completed the day learning how patients are loaded on a Stryker ambulance and transferred to hospital units.
During the day, Gavin’s parents watched their son talking to soldiers and enjoying his day with them. Troy Heminger served on active duty for nine years with 1110th Support Battalion and 58th Signal Battalion as a microwave systems operations and maintenance specialist. “He is having fun,” he said, watching the boy interact with soldiers. “He is forgetting about his illness for a while.” After spending the day with Army medics, Gavin and his family left San Antonio the next day for Fort Hood, Texas, where honorary Sergeant Cox would spend another day in the Army as a soldier with the Army’s combat units.
Following his week as a soldier, Gavin was scheduled for intensified chemotherapy at Dallas Children’s Hospital.
(Phil Reidinger works in the Fort Sam Houston Public Affairs Office.)
