Photo By Sgt. Uriah Walker | Honorary Sgt. Quintin Hall, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, rides tall in the...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Washington – The I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Gary Volesky, and senior enlisted advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Walter Tagalicud, had the pleasure of enlisting and promoting seven-year-old Quintin Hall, September 13, to begin his day as an honorary cavalry soldier.
After being welcomed into the ranks of America’s I Corps, Quintin reported to his new unit, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, and put through the paces of a cavalry soldier. Taking into account what this young man has been through over the last 18 months somehow he charged through the day with a smile.
Quintin and his parents, who live near the Washington boarder in northern Idaho, received the stage IV high risk neuroblastoma diagnosis in February 2016. They were told to “keep him comfortable.” That wasn’t an acceptable option for them.
Neuroblastoma has a science fiction ring to it evoking images of futuristic weapons wreaking havoc against enemies. Sadly, there is nothing sci-fi about this very real form of childhood cancer and Quintin, with his parents Justin and Jacqy, is fighting a battle with it every day.
“[During treatment] he really enjoyed tanks,” said Jacqy. “Any time we would ask him to read books it was always the tank books or learning about different types of combat vehicles.”
Through all of the hospital stays and surgeries, Quintin mentally copes with the treatments by associating them with military weaponry fighting the bad cells in his body. Armored vehicles, specifically tanks, most recently peaked his interest and have made explaining the current round of treatment easier to explain in a way he understands.
“Oftentimes during treatment the best way to explain to him – what is the chemo doing or what is the transplant doing – we would use tank references,” said Justin. “We’re making your cells into tanks to fight the cancer, or we’re giving the tank cells an upgrade. So that has helped him to understand what is going on.”
Quintin is currently in the lab stages of treatment which allows him some much needed time away from the hospital and the opportunity to become a soldier for a day with 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment.
Quintin began his training at the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST) leading his fire team through various on-screen scenarios to neutralize enemy targets using specially modified M4 service rifles.
“Reloading, cover me,” yelled Pfc. Vincent Southerland during one of the scenarios.
“I’ve got you covered,” responded Quintin.
Following the EST session Quintin returned to the 1-14 CAV area and was introduced to several more weapons and tools used during combat missions by the cavalry soldiers. While the array of equipment elicited smiles and intrigue, nothing could compare to his reaction to what was about to round the corner.
Quintin was offered a radio handset and instructed to order a personnel pickup. What he didn’t know was that there were two Stryker combat vehicles staged awaiting his order to drive to his location.
The day concluded in historical cavalry fashion with Maj. Deshane Greaser presenting Quintin with is own silver spurs and inducting him into the Order of the Spur.
| Date Taken: | 09.13.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 09.15.2017 19:30 |
| Story ID: | 248503 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Hometown: | MOSCOW, ID, US |
| Web Views: | 183 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Quintin’s quest to kick cancer, by SGT Uriah Walker, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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