'Living the Dream'; Fulfilling a Young Child's Dream

By Staff Sgt. Carlos DavisMay 2, 2016

'Living the Dream'; Fulfilling a Young Child's Dream
WAHIAWA, Hawaii -- Lt. Col. Daniel Blackmon (right) administers the oath of enlistment to Dylan Warren (left) April 24, 2016, on Schofield Barracks as part of the Make-a-wish Foundation of America to fulfill dream of being a part of the U.S. Army. (P... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WAHIAWA, Hawaii -- Often military personnel may greet or respond to one another with 'Living the Dream', but what does it really mean? Is it an inside joke that they amuse one another with or is it something more?

From April 24-29, a young man from Springfield, Missouri, did just that with the help and support from the Make-a-Wish Foundation of America and the 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 25th Division Artillery, 25th Infantry Division, as he was given the opportunity to live his dream, of being apart the U.S. Army.

Dylan Warren, 13, was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition, which has deemed him medically unfit for service.

"I would like to spend a day on a military base and be in the Army," said Dylan. "I want to wear fatigues and boots. I want to learn how they shoot big guns and aim at targets that are far away. I want to learn the lingo they use in the military and be able to give commands! I want to eat MRE's (Meal, Ready-to-Eat)."

For a week Dylan was able to indulge in an experience of a lifetime as he was honorary part of the Tropic Lightning Division.

"The Make-a-Wish Foundation has inspired my Soldiers to not take for granted the opportunities the Army has to offer," said Capt. Stephen Berryman, the commander for Battery C, 2-11th FAR attached to 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

"Being able to assist in fulfilling Dylan's wish of spending a day in the life of a Soldier was an honorable moment for us to represent the U.S. Army," Berryman added.

He was able to fire view the firing of the M777 Howitzer, spend time with Soldiers and enjoy the wonderful and savory taste of a MRE.

The 2-11th FAR had the personnel, equipment, and training scheduled to support Dylan's wish.

Lt. Col. Daniel Blackmon, the commander of 2-11th FAR, recognized this opportunity to build camaraderie between his unit and the community, which the military services rely on for support.

For many young children if given the opportunity they would most likely choose to meet the President of the United States or a famous athlete, but for Dylan his wish was to experience life as a Soldier.

The Make-a-Wish Foundation of America is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Many children request to be in the military for a day, and their wishes have been granted by other units in the past.