José loved every minute of his parachute training as U.S. Marines helped make his wish come true.
For 14-year-old José, making a wish was also a way to get closer to another dream: becoming a rifleman in the United States Marine Corps. He wished for a custom range in his backyard to hone his marksmanship skills with Airsoft guns that fire plastic pellets.
Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Hawaii volunteers built a range complete with swinging targets for the future Marine, who is a cadet in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at Castle High School. Wish granters also contacted the elite 4th Force Marine Reconnaissance Company stationed at KaneoheBay. The Marines invited José, who is being treated for T-Cell acute lymphocytic leukemia, to attend a full day of the Leatherneck experience.
The day before his experience, Staff Sgt. Eric Stone and Sgt. Joe Lindsay visited José at the hospital. They brought him a poster signed by all the Marines of the 4th Force Recon and a recon squad pin.
The next day, José and several of his JROTC friends arrived at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Their complete tour of the camp gave them an extraordinary chance to understand the close-knit men and women who wear the anchor, globe and eagle. They also saw the training and dedication that make the Marines some of the world’s most storied troops.
José gives his full attention to his drill instructor.
The Marines strapped José in to an MC-5 parachute harness, letting him dangle to get the feel of floating to the ground. They also took José and his fellow cadets for a ride in a Zodiac raft. Their visit to the artillery range was another highlight; José got a grunt’s-eye view of artillery practice.
The Marines presented José with a certificate signed by the base’s commanding general and sergeant major proclaiming him an Honorary Reconnaissance Marine. José’s reverence for the Corps earned him a place in the hearts of the Marines. First Sgt. Timothy Blake wrote to the Foundation to express his admiration for Jose.
“José is a remarkable individual whose character in the face of adversity is a fine example for anyone to follow and he deserved to be at the center of attention,” he wrote. “The Corps would be proud to have him in our ranks.”
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I am very proud of Jose. He is battling cancer and still wants to fight for our freedom. I have tons of respect for him and am very thankful there are people like him out there!
- Christine 02/07/2007 14:13 -
I am so happy that the U.S. Marines are helping Jose with his wish! I hope that one day Jose will be able to complete his wish. The U.S. Marines are awesome because they risk their lives for our country. Jose is truly dedicated, wanting to serve his country!
- A 02/03/2007 18:51 -
I think it's a good story. Make-A-Wish is a very nice foundation.
- Dale 02/12/2007 16:53 -
I think that your wish is so awesome that you want to be a Marine. You get to fight for your country and to show others that you care. Jose, I am in love with your wish! God Bless!
- Cassoe 01/12/2007 12:27 -
My fiance is a member of Recon and we both want to tell you how proud we are of you!! KEEP FIGHTING, YOU CAN BEAT THIS!!!! Good luck and we know your going to be an AMAZING Marine! Simper Fi!
- Sherie 11/29/2007 20:34 -
Jose, hold on little brother and may your wish come true. Thanks to my brother marines for making a difference in Jose's life. A memory that he will never forget.
Semper Fi
Always,
Dave - USMC 80-84 once a Marine always a Marine
- Dave 02/16/2007 8:13
© 2006 Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America