Army cadre makes wish come true for local youth

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The honorary Soldier sat silent and observant, taking in the moment as one of his wishes came true, as more than 30 students, teachers, Soldiers and Airmen applauded him Tuesday, March 23 in the small classroom of Lincoln Middle School, San Angelo, Texas.

While some youth dream of meeting famous ball players or movie stars, Javier Aguirre, age 14, humbly requested through the Make a Wish Foundation to meet U.S. Army Soldiers.

"His mother said Javier had always wanted to become a Soldier since he was a child," translated Lupe Galindo, a Para-Instructor Aide for the middle school, and Javier's after school caregiver.

Javier's mother, Herminia Aguirre, said he suffers from Duchere Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disorder that weakens the muscles that help the body move.

"The doctors said Javier was born with the condition. They did not know he had it until he was 8 years old, when his family took his sister to the hospital for a checkup. One of the doctors noticed something wrong with the way he was walking," Mrs. Galindo translated.

According to Mrs. Aguirre, her son was like any normal boy growing up, running and jumping, but the condition started to affect his body and progressively worsened until it confined Javier to a wheelchair four years ago.

When doctors predicted that Javier may not have long to live, the Make a Wish Foundation and Kathy Prince, a teacher who assist special needs students at Lincoln Middle School, looked to Goodfellow for help.

Mrs. Price, (a retired Air Force chief master sergeant from Goodfellow,) contacted Ronald Graham in the 316th Training Squadron, who in turn sent a request for assistance to Command Sgt. Maj. Dan McCraw, and 1st Sgt. Raymond Ramsey at the 344th Military Intelligence Battalion, Goodfellow.

Upon hearing about Javier's situation, the 344 MIB jumped at the opportunity.

"We wanted to support Javier because most kids want to be NBA superstars or football players. All he wanted was to become a Soldier," said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Payne.

Several of the attending Soldiers are part of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, a non-profit organization committed to contributing to the community. Members comprise of the top 2 percent of the Noncommissioned Officers in the Army.

"The 344 MIB has always had a strong connection with volunteering in the community. It is big deal for us to give back, and not at just this event," Sergeant Payne said. "I think it transcends all armed forces in general; every service likes to give back."

Soldiers from different units within the Army battalion donated items for the visit.

Sergeant Payne presented him with a folded United States flag and hang a personalize identification tag around Javier's neck, as "a Soldier would not be complete without their own 'Dog Tags.'"

Army Staff Sgt. Stephanie Slater brought him a baseball cap embodied with the Army logo and a physical training shirt.

Army Master Sgt. Brandon Allen, presented Javier with two challenge coins and a set of Army Ranger pins from Capt. Ryan Irwin, 344 MIB Alpha Company commander's personal uniform, and said "He wore those down range, while assigned to the 75th Army Ranger Regiment. The Rangers simply embody the best of the best the Army has to offer. Captain Irwin couldn't be here today, but he wishes you the best."

Javier was also given an Army values card, which is printed their values and warrior ethos, and is given to those transcending from civilian to Army Soldiers.

The U.S. Army Recruiting Command at the San Angelo Mall, donated a gift bag with a travel kit that included playing cards, hygiene products and a video game.

With friends and teachers at his side, they joined Javier as he admired the gifts just presented to him from his fellow 'Soldiers.' One word summed up his feelings, "Awesome."

His mother notes that upon finding out that Soldiers from Goodfellow were coming to visit him, he would not stop talking about getting to know and meet them.

"All he wanted to do was talk about the tanks, bombs and planes, he is fascinated with the military," Mrs. Galindo translated. "Javier's mother is very grateful to have the Soldiers and Airmen come out today to make her son's dream come true."

According to the web site kidshealth.org, people with muscular dystrophy have incorrect or missing information in their genes, which prevents them from making the proteins they need for healthy muscles. The condition is passed on genetically and is not contagious.
MD weakens muscles over time. Children, teen, and adults who have the disease can gradually lose the ability to do the things most people take for granted, like walking or sitting up. Someone with MD might start having muscle problems as a baby or symptoms may develop as they become adults.