Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey Troutman | 150730-N-ON468-049 PEARL HARBOR (July 30, 2015) Nine-year-old Eddie Paul Bearb does a...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - Nine-year-old Eddie Paul Bearb has a dream in life of one day becoming an F-22 Raptor pilot for the United States Air Force (USAF). He took a huge step towards that dream when he visited Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam as part of the USAF’s Pilot For a Day program, July 30.
Bearb’s visit made for a rewarding milestone that saw him spend the day with pilots from the USAF 15th Wing’s 535th Airlift Squadron, take part in multiple flight simulations and meet members of both the Explosive Ordnance Device and Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape teams.
Bearb’s journey to becoming an F-22 pilot has not been an easy one, even at his young age. Several years ago, he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, which is currently in remission after approximately 18 months of treatment. Bearb did not let his illness deter him from pursuing his dream.
“It was my wish to visit Pearl Harbor and see the planes here, and it’s been a lot of fun so far,” said Bearb. “Me and my mom and my dad flew all the way from Louisiana. I was nervous to visit here at first, but now I’m really excited. My favorite part of the day was flying in the F-22 simulator machine.”
Bearb’s visit was made possible through the Dreams Come True Foundation, which helps children with life-threatening illnesses realize their goals and dreams. When Capt. John Clason, president of the USAF Pilot For a Day program, received word of Bearb’s wishes to visit JBPHH, he knew he could help make a huge difference in the life of a one-day fellow pilot.
“Those of us who run the Pilot For a Day program know how important visits like this are to these kids,” said Clason. “As soon as I met Eddie Paul, I could see what a smart and amazing young man he was, and how big his heart was. He lit up every room he walked into today, and it’s such a great honor for us to welcome him as a member of our squadron.”
Clason stressed that the Pilot For a Day program is about being service members to young men and women like Eddie Paul, who face life-threatening illnesses early on in life, but continue to push towards their dreams at any and all cost.
“With special visitors like Eddie Paul, we get to show that we’re America’s military,” said Clason. “Our message to all young people, who are struggling with life-threatening illnesses, is to never give up, and to never lose sight of what you wish to do in life. Eddie Paul is a perfect example of that.”
For more information on the Dreams Come True Foundation, visit their website at: www.dreamscometrue.org
| Date Taken: | 07.30.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.31.2015 17:09 |
| Story ID: | 171682 |
| Location: | PEARL HARBOR, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 83 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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