Young Marine's ‘Make-A-Wish’ Come True

Apr 22, 2016 7:39 PM

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Nathan Aldaco, a 12 year-old boy with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, stands at attention as Col. Jaime O. Collazo pins on the Master EOD badge during a Make-A-Wish event supported by 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 24, 2016. Collazo is the 1st MLG chief of staff. Marines with 7th ESB and Explosive Ordnance Disposal helped to make Nathan’s wish of becoming a Marine come true by demonstrating the capabilities of their EOD robots and detonating TNT, C4, dynamite and blasting caps, while the heavy equipment operators gave him the opportunity to ride the D7 dozer and the excavator, in which he dug a pit, built a berm, and broke several large tree trunks.

Nathan Aldaco walks with Marines to a demolition site during the Make-A-Wish event supported by 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 24, 2016.

Nathan learns about the power of blasting caps during the Make-A-Wish event.

Nathan looking out of a bunker at the Make-a-Wish event.

Nathan learns about explosive ordnance during at the Make-A-Wish event.

Damn, he even got the haircut.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

FIX YOUR FUCKING HANDS!!!!!!

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Rah gents

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Oh..when a kids dying wish is to join the Marines, Make A Wish fulfills that, but when I call them, angry & drunk at 3AM, they call the cops

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

He looks so happy in the bunker, fucking sad. Also not to take away from the moment, is that irony? Connotations for marines

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

God damn roommate's cutting onions again....

10 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 4

I definitely know what these words mean.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

When does his hazing start?

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I support this application of american military might!

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Plus all points.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I'm not at all knocking the kid, but you have free reign to do anything you want and this is what you pick? Fucking lunar landing anyone?

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Most kids at that age, myself included, enjoyed playing "army," toy guns, tanks and what not. Why not this be his wish for now?

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Hoo Rah

10 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

Ooh-Rah*.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Thats the most brutal whish granted that I've ever heard of.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

That is awesome that would be the kids wish...

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

Too be fair, a lot of young boys think blowing shit up, shooting guns, and taking out bad guys is cool.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Hell, I am a 47 yr old woman and I think those things are cool.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

America, sometimes as our run away little colony you're such a disappointment. But you do stuff like this so well and we have to love you.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

LOL "run away" bitch you the ones that ran!! #REKT420TEABAGGED

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Whats a bigger disappointment? I have the joy of celebrating our Independence from England, IN England.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Thats the most brutal whish granted that I've ever heard of.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The first picture will be circulated around Best Korea to prove American devils are forcing innocent children into combat.

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

i wonder what event he would get to do all this at

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

So this kid got to gear up in Camo n blow shit up all day..I bet the grown ups had just as much fun as the kid I sure would have had a bast

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

"They even fulfilled his final wish - being blown apart by the bombs he loved so much"

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 6

They forgot kill a foreigner class

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I am sometimes baffled at how much people are willing to put time and effort into make a wish for these kids.

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

I work for Marvel & we work with the Make a Wish Foundation very often. They truly are an amazing agency with amazing people.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Bless you

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Did they make him fill out a whole bunch of useless forms and wait in the armory for 6 hours?

10 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

If I could just rapid-click on this and upvote a million times I would.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Dont forget all the vaccinations and CBT's

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I don't think vaccinations are necessary at this point.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Okay "Master Guns", I know we can roll our sleeves better than that and why aren't your boots bloused marine? good for him though

10 years ago | Likes 33 Dislikes 1

That position of attention looking ahreal nice tho

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Got some gunny rolls

10 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Might even be some full on 1st Sgt rolls

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Nah 1st Sgt is usually better then gunny rolls. They have to have shit right. Gunny's seem to be modern day wizards with everything

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Very true.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Great job soldiers

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 3

*Airmen

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Slow down, you'll kill a few of them via stress induced anuyrism.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Marines **cough cough**

10 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

They know what they did.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Sailor here. Upvoted you just to mess with the marines.

10 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

Army here, I'll join the bandwagon, the only thing we like more than making fun of airmen is messing with Marines.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

And the only thing we Airmen enjoy more then messing with the Marines, is making fun of the Army

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I suppose that's fair, even with the xbox the lack of real work must mean you need to entertain yourselves somehow.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

And yet we fly you everywhere, and those jets need fixing...I do that fixing :)

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

ARe we sure he's actually an american?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 21

The kid has a disease and his dying wish is to blow shit up. If that's not a Marine, I don't know what is.

10 years ago | Likes 221 Dislikes 2

I was thinking this, or flying around in v22s shooting at shit

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Rah! He's little devil pup!

10 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 1

A jihadist?

10 years ago | Likes 108 Dislikes 8

So horrible, yet so good. +1

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Haha touché.

10 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 1

gold

10 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 1

I hate when people say something like "stands at attention" this kid is doing everything BUT standing at attention for his CO.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 25

I'm trying to read your comment in a way that doesn't make you a complete dickhead. This is a dying child who admires the Services.

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

And yet I'm talking about the reporter, not the child.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Okay, forgiviness please..

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The 12 year old with a heart condition isn't following the rules of the USMC to the letter? Damn shame.

10 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 1

And yet I'm talking about the reporter, not the child.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Even still why the fuck would a reporter stand at attention? The only ones who need to salute the military are lower ranking enlistees.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

What are you even talking about? Everyone in the military salutes, not just enlisted. And enlistee's are not military.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Let's play spot the dickhead NCO

10 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 1

And yet I'm talking about the reporter, not the child.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

He looking forward, his hands are where they should be, and he isn't moving. What more do you want that can be seen in the picture?

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

And yet I'm talking about the reporter, not the child.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

STOLEN VALOR

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 9

Listen here, fucko. That kid's a warrior who has fought his own battles. That valor was won.

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

STOLEN VALOR

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 4

It isn't stolen if it is eagerly bestowed upon him.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Dang, EOD's cutting scores must be super low. He already made E-9.

10 years ago | Likes 121 Dislikes 2

The "blowing shit up" department can't be thaaaat hard to master, right?

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 4

It's all because of the GT Score man, he must be a smart cookie.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

So they give him master guns rank and an eod pin but still make him wear a boot ass web belt? Ya dont fuck with MCMAP. That shit is sacred

7 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Iirc, they were super low when I was in, and you got a bonus 100 pts for graduating the school. One of the few places a Sgt is the boot.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Just been acing his PT and rifle scores, devil

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

What does that mean?

10 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 0

He outranks everyone else there.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

except the Col pinning him on

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Didn't catch that was a colonel, nevermind.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

In the USMC, promotions from E-1 up to E-5 run on a score system. Your own score has to surpass the "cutting" score for you to rank up.

10 years ago | Likes 29 Dislikes 0

Different occupations have different cutting scores. Lower cutting score means you're more likely to rank up.

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Oh alright, thank you

10 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

E-9 is also the highest pay grade for an enlisted men. Usually they serve as Senior Command advisers, they're the particularly old NCOs.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

And EOD stands for explosive ordinance disposal. Not sure it was mentioned in the post

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

*ordnance ;-)

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Unless it's changed in the last 8 years, E-1 - E-3 are time in grade only. No cutting score needed.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Was it at the Make-a-Wish event?

10 years ago | Likes 268 Dislikes 0

No. It wasn't.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I believe it was a Make-A-Wish event but I could be wrong.

10 years ago | Likes 51 Dislikes 0

I don't normally lol, but this time I loled

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Not sure. I should read it again to be certain.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yes, in Fallujah

10 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Lol. I didn't realize I was over stating it.

10 years ago | Likes 69 Dislikes 9

Overstated what? I still have no idea what this event is.

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

reading between the lines i think it might have been make a wish or something...

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Brought to you by Carl's jr.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

What? The make a wish event? Nahh

10 years ago | Likes 37 Dislikes 0

Wait wait wait. This was at a Make-A-Wish event?

10 years ago | Likes 20 Dislikes 0

No I was wrong. Apparently it was Make-a-wish.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0