An 8-year-old terminally ill boy was made an Honorary Marine in an emotional ceremony over the weekend.
Wyatt Gillette was diagnosed with Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome at age four. Now at age eight, his kidneys were failing and he was sent home from the hospital for hospice care. With only hours left to live, his parents stood beside his wheelchair as he became the 96th person to receive the title of Honorary Marine.
Via The New York Times:
When it became clear that the condition of his little “warrior” was worsening, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Gillette, his father, reached out to fellow Marines through Facebook last month and asked for their prayers and support.
They took that support further than anyone expected. On Saturday, after backing was gathered all the way to the Marines’ top officer, the terminally ill boy received the rare title of honorary Marine in a quickly assembled ceremony at the Marine Corps Base Camp in Pendleton, Calif.
A day later, at age [8], he was gone. Wyatt died “peaceful and pain free” at 10:06 a.m. Sunday morning, his father told friends on Facebook.
“You have fought long and hard for yourself and your family, and your strength has inspired all of us that are here today,” First Sgt. Cristo Gomez told the boy during the ceremony. “You have proven that you have what it takes to become part of America’s warrior elite, and you have earned the title of honorary Marine.”
The title of “Honorary Marine” is designated by the Commandant of the Marine Corps and Gen. Robert B. Neller said it was an easy decision:
One of the easiest decisions yet as CMC was to make this 8-yr old a Marine. Keep fighting, Wyatt! You are a Marine! pic.twitter.com/bSDrEHcc3c
— Robert B. Neller (@GenRobertNeller) July 30, 2016
Sadly, Wyatt Gillette lost his fight the day after, but his short, courageous life will continue to inspire for many years to come.
Semper Fi, Wyatt, rest in peace.
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