|
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -
He stands noticeably smaller than the Marines to his right and left.
Their frames fill out their camouflage utilities and flak jackets,
while his looks a couple sizes too small.
Despite the
noticeable size difference, Ryan Forbes, a 13-year-old native of San
Diego, held his own with the Marines of Lima Battery, 3rd Battalion,
11th Marine Regiment. His grin from ear to ear could be seen as they
joked during lunch and when describing the lifestyle of the Marines
in the field.
|
U.S. Marine Master Sgt. Dean Beutz (left) with Lima Battery, 3d
Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, gives Ryan
Forbes (center), a 13-year-old San Diego native diagnosed with
Medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer, an empty primer casing from
an M-777 Lightweight 155mm howitzer during a Make-A-Wish Foundation
event aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) in
Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 13, 2014. Make-A-Wish Foundation
partnered with 11th Marine Regiment to help Forbes fulfill his wish
to become a “Marine for a day.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl.
Ismael Ortega, 1st Marine Division Combat Camera)
|
Forbes received a small taste of that lifestyle when he
was made a “Marine for a day” with the battery. The Marine
Corps coordinated with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant
his wish May 13. Forbes was diagnosed with medulloblastoma,
a form of brain cancer in January, but he hasn't let his
current treatment hinder his enthusiasm for the military.
Forbes arrived with his parents and brother in the
morning, but after a short meeting and a long drive, he was
seen in flak jacket and Kevlar. He talked to Marines about
various weapon systems, ate a Meal, Ready-to-Eat, called
orders through the radio and participated in a fire mission
at the gunline.
It
was an eventful day that culminated with him fulfilling one
of his dreams.
“I came out and fired a howitzer,”
said Forbes with a grin. “It shook me.”
Forbes has
wanted to join the military for several years. He spends
time learning about the different branches, what it takes to
complete recruit training and the various weapon systems. He
saw some of the same weapon systems today.
“I learned
a lot about different guns like the 240B (machine gun) and
the SAW (squad automatic weapon), and how a howitzer works,”
Forbes said.
With the smell of artillery fire still
in the air, Forbes relaxed with his section during lunch.
Forbes and his brother Jason seemed right at home with the
Marines. With an M777 lightweight howitzer as their
backdrop, they talked and laughed like old friends.
“Guys just never change,” said Navy Lt. Katrina Landa, the
battalion surgeon. “He just sat down with the Marines and
joked and told stories.”
While Forbes enjoyed the
visit, many felt the Marines got just as much, if not more,
from their guest of honor.
“I think the Marines got a
really good sense of helping other people,” Landa said.
“They are usually so focused on the mission, but here they
got to see the human side. They saw how they inspire a young
child.”
Forbes returned home with a handful of gifts
and souvenirs from the Marines. While they gave him shirts,
plaques and trinkets, Forbes gave the Marines something
more. His grin was transferred to the Marines in attendance
who couldn't help but enjoy his youthful enthusiasm. They
won't forget Forbes soon as they honored him with his name
taped on their howitzer.
By U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Timothy Lenzo
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
Comment on this article |
