thedrifter
01-10-06, 07:24 AM
Just 6 years old — and a Marine
Honorary membership will do, he says
By Chuck Myron
cmyron@news-press.com
Originally posted on January 10, 2006
The News-Press
It's not the Marines, but for 6-year-old Brandon Rasnick, it will do.
The Lehigh Acres boy, who has cystic fibrosis, carefully recited each verse of the oath he took Monday night that made him an honorary member of the Marine Corps League.
The swearing-in drew shouts of "oo-rah" and "Semper Fi" from members of the veterans group at a meeting of the Pvt. 1st Class Paul E. Ison Detachment in Cape Coral.
Adjutant Mickey Kostrub said he felt compelled to do something when he heard of Brandon's trip to Camp Lejeune through the Make-A-Wish Foundation last month.
"He's a Marine now, see, and as a veterans outfit we can do something to make his life better," Kostrub said.
Brandon came to the meeting already dressed in his fatigues and was sworn in and feted with more hats, T-shirts and other Marine-related paraphernalia than he could carry.
"This is the first time we've ever done anything like this," Commandant Julianne Froncek said.
The honorary membership will get Brandon in the door at all organizational functions, but it can't actually get him into the Marines, which is Brandon's dream. Corps officials say chances are slim of anyone getting in with cystic fibrosis. The disease attacks the lungs, sweat glands and digestive system, and can cause frequent chest infections. Sufferers have a life expectancy of about 30 years.
For Brandon, though, Monday's honor was close enough.
"It's just crazy that I'm only 6 years old, and I'm a real Marine," he said.
Brandon has already seen action — riding in a tank, completing an obstacle course and shooting target practice while at Camp Lejeune.
"He said it was the best day of his life, and that was the first day he got there, before he even did anything," said Brandon's mother, Deanna Rasnick.
Brandon said the best part was the shooting. He hit the target on the second try with an M-16 rifle, his mother said, but Brandon preferred shooting with a .50-caliber.
"The M-16 was just like a little shotgun," Brandon said.
Ellie
Honorary membership will do, he says
By Chuck Myron
cmyron@news-press.com
Originally posted on January 10, 2006
The News-Press
It's not the Marines, but for 6-year-old Brandon Rasnick, it will do.
The Lehigh Acres boy, who has cystic fibrosis, carefully recited each verse of the oath he took Monday night that made him an honorary member of the Marine Corps League.
The swearing-in drew shouts of "oo-rah" and "Semper Fi" from members of the veterans group at a meeting of the Pvt. 1st Class Paul E. Ison Detachment in Cape Coral.
Adjutant Mickey Kostrub said he felt compelled to do something when he heard of Brandon's trip to Camp Lejeune through the Make-A-Wish Foundation last month.
"He's a Marine now, see, and as a veterans outfit we can do something to make his life better," Kostrub said.
Brandon came to the meeting already dressed in his fatigues and was sworn in and feted with more hats, T-shirts and other Marine-related paraphernalia than he could carry.
"This is the first time we've ever done anything like this," Commandant Julianne Froncek said.
The honorary membership will get Brandon in the door at all organizational functions, but it can't actually get him into the Marines, which is Brandon's dream. Corps officials say chances are slim of anyone getting in with cystic fibrosis. The disease attacks the lungs, sweat glands and digestive system, and can cause frequent chest infections. Sufferers have a life expectancy of about 30 years.
For Brandon, though, Monday's honor was close enough.
"It's just crazy that I'm only 6 years old, and I'm a real Marine," he said.
Brandon has already seen action — riding in a tank, completing an obstacle course and shooting target practice while at Camp Lejeune.
"He said it was the best day of his life, and that was the first day he got there, before he even did anything," said Brandon's mother, Deanna Rasnick.
Brandon said the best part was the shooting. He hit the target on the second try with an M-16 rifle, his mother said, but Brandon preferred shooting with a .50-caliber.
"The M-16 was just like a little shotgun," Brandon said.
Ellie