What started as simple wishes became a full-scale military mission involving Soldiers, civilians, units and equipment across Fort Carson Feb. 24.
Upon the receipt of a phone call, members of 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, began operational planning that would require imagination, precision timing and heart-felt compassion to make a 15 year-old boy’s wishes come true.
Joshua Hetherington was diagnosed with a tennis ball-sized Glioblastoma Multiforme tumor, or GBM, in July 2015. Since the discovery of this cancer in his right frontal lobe, he has received multiple surgeries and multiple sequences of radiation and chemo therapy, in which he is currently still undergoing.
“Being a teenager is hard, but being a teenager with cancer and you’re not quite sure what’s going to come down the track; that’s not easy,” said Joshua’s mother, Debbie Stuart.
Earlier in the year, Joshua and his family were contacted by the Make-a-Wish Foundation, where the teenager was able to give them a list of things he would like to do. Due to the content on that list, it was forwarded to the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson.
Among the rather short list from the young man’s imagination were simply riding in a tank, flying a plane and watching a veterinarian work; wishes the leaders of the “Iron Brigade” knew they wanted to fulfill.
“It’s a true honor for our Soldiers and community to be able to bring this remarkable young man here and show him our profession as Soldiers,” said Sgt. Maj. Christopher Williams, operations sergeant major, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd ABCT. “It is honorable for him to choose to spend his valuable time and energy with us and makes us all grateful for the health and abilities some take for granted.”
With the planning and coordination complete, Joshua would have his day in the life of a Soldier on Wednesday. An honorary enlistment into the Army and a change into a combat uniform began a day that no one in the community would easily forget.
“We are very proud to have you here with us today and to have you join our team,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Sims, command sergeant major, 3rd ABCT, to Joshua. “Your fortitude, energy and determination in the face of adversity are encouraging to us all and we hope that you know how special you are and enjoy your day with us as much as we will with you.”
Immediately, Soldiers assigned to the 69th Military Police Detachment (Military Working Dog), 759th Military Police Battalion, demonstrated the flexibility required to be a Soldier by quickly putting Joshua to work.
He accompanied the police in a “semi”-high speed pursuit ending at Fort Carson’s Military Working Dog facility where Joshua and the team released and demonstrated the capabilities of their K-9 partners on role-players wearing padded arm and body shields.
“We were contacted and told about Joshua’s wishes and passion for animals,” said Staff Sgt. Nichalos Buchanan, kennel master, 69th Military Police Detach, (MWD). “We wanted to get him as close to our animals and add as much excitement as we safely could while we demonstrated what we do; having him actively participate made it even better.”
Knowing his love of tanks and video games that Joshua’s mother had portrayed to 3rd ABCT, it was fitting that his next stop would be at the Advanced Gunnery Training System (AGTS) to learn to work as a member of a tank crew of an M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank and Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
During the simulator training, conducted by “Silver Lions” of 1st Bn., 68th Armor Regt., the special visitor and his father, Tony Hetherington, got a chance to conduct operations to locate, target and destroy enemy vehicles in a virtual but realistic environment.
“Watching how excited and surprisingly good Joshua was in our simulator (AGTS) fueled the already high enthusiasm level amongst the Soldiers,” said Spc. Jesus Garcia, M1 armor crewman, Company C, 1st Bn., 68th Armor Regt. “I’m glad I didn’t miss out on the excitement.”
Lunch with soldiers at the Iron Brigade’s Robert C. Stack Dining Facility was followed by a short ride to a M109A6, Paladin self-propelled howitzer Artillery Cannon, displayed by “Pacesetters” of 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment.
“We were grateful for the opportunity to be part of this experience and share our knowledge with the newest member of our team,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Jacobs, command sergeant major, 3rd Bn., 29th Field Artillery Regt., 3rd ABCT. “He really seemed to enjoy familiarizing with our Paladin and learning of its capabilities on the battlefield.”
Another movement, to Butts Army Airfield, found Joshua greeted by Lt. Col. Darin Gaub, deputy commanding officer, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div., and Mr. Dan Krueger, battle master, Aviation Combined-Arms Tactical Trainer (flight simulators).
“From the bottom of our hearts, we are truly grateful for all the effort put into making this a more than memorable day for Joshua,” said Debbie. “I cannot thank you enough and don’t know that everything you’ve done for him has even fully sank in yet; he is overwhelmed with happiness right now.”