FALLS CHURCH, VA (Dec. 19, 2012) -- Army Medicine personnel joined dozens of Soldiers from the 200th MP Command out of Ft. Meade, Md., in making a young patients' dream of meeting Soldiers and becoming a Soldier come true. Ten-year old Baltimore resident Khalil Quarles was diagnosed with an invasive cancer a year and a half ago and has been bravely battling this disease. Every since he was four years old, Khalil said he dreamed of becoming a Soldier in the United States Army.
Not only did dozens of Soldiers show up at Quarles' home, but the 200th MP Command commander Maj. Gen. Sanford Holman performed an "enlistment" ceremony, during which he "enlisted" Quarles into the Army. Additionally, the Soldiers took Quarles for a ride in an up-armored humvee. Soldiers and Department of the Army Civilians took gifts for Quarles and his siblings that will hopefully make their holidays even merrier. Office of the Surgeon General (OTSG) civilian employee Stephanie P. Abdullah is also an Army Reserve Soldier assigned to the Office of the Chief Army Reserve, Ft. Belvoir, Va. On behalf of Army Medicine (Sgt. 1st Class) Abdullah delivered several gifts from OTSG/MEDCOM that included an Army Medical Command coin from Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho and a vintage GI Joe --Collector's Edition donated by OTSG Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Mike Elliott.
OTSG Deputy Director of Communications Col. Donald Robinson also attended the event.
"It was absolutely amazing to be a part of such a moving experience," said Robinson. "This was an Army Reserve led effort, where a local unit had an opportunity to do something meaningful as well as adopt a citizen from the community they serve into their unit. What a way to show a community that the Army is there and a part of the community and cares," he said.
When Quarles was asked what he thought was the best part about the evening's surprises he said: "The humvee ride was the best. But, it was very loud in there."
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