"8-Year-Old Boy with Rare Disease Lives His Dream of Becoming a Soldier: 'They Save the World'"

2015-09-09T13:44:02-04:00

From: People

Ever since he was a little boy, 8-year-old Trevor Pedersen has dreamed of becoming a soldier.

"They do cool things and they save the world," Trevor told KSL-TV.

Because the young boy from Heber, Utah, suffers from a rare disease that will prevent him from growing up to live his dream of joining the U.S. Army, his uncle's regiment invited him to become an honorary member.

Trevor suffers from a rare genetic disorder called Primary familial brain calcification, which causes calcium deposits to grow on his brain.

"It's hard to describe because it is so rare," Trevor's mother, Jackie Pedersen, told KSL. "There's so little known about it. There are only 70 families in the world that are documented right now having it."

Depending on where the deposits grow, different body functions are affected. There is currently no cure for the rare disease that will ultimately prove fatal.

When Trevor's uncle, Erik, found out about the diagnosis, he invited the young boy and his father to fly to Germany to spend time with his military regiment.

"He couldn't believe it," Trevor's dad, Jason Pedersen, told the news station. "He was so happy. It was a moment of pride I've never felt before."

As shown in a video posted to Facebook by the 2d Cavalry Regiment, Trevor joined the soldiers for part of a Cavalry Spur Ride, which is an elite training exercise.

"I was a soldier for the past three days," Trevor says in the video. "That was cool, probably cooler than anything I've done."

During the grueling hike portion of the exercises, Trevor's legs began to cramp and he broke down in tears with less than 400 yards remaining.

"The soldiers behind him would not stop encouraging him," Jason recalled in the video. "Right when he was about to give up, he looked over to the hill and at the finish line saw soldiers standing up and cheering Trevor on and chanting his name."

Trevor crossed the finish line as the crowd of soldiers cheered him on. His father said this was "the proudest moment of my life."

Soldiers awarded Trevor a pair of silver spurs and made him an honorary member of the regiment.

"It was like they really understood what it meant to be a young kid who wanted to grow up and join the Army," Jackie told KSL. "They got to do it and they know Trevor will never be able to."

http://www.people.com/article/boy-rare-disease-dream-becomes-honorary-soldier

8-Year-Old Boy with Rare Disease Lives His Dream of Becoming a Soldier: 'They Save the World'

"He was so happy. It was a moment of pride I've never felt before," Jason Pedersen said

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 1:44 PM

2015-09-09T13:44:47-04:00

Great Story, Semper Fidelis.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 9 at 2015 1:49 PM

2015-09-09T13:49:15-04:00

Makes me prouder to be a Soldier. To see the video where the kid was completing the road march and he wanted to quit but the troops and the father helped him along to the end, is what it's all about. A Brotherhood that few will understand, and ever experience. Duty First Kid!!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 1:59 PM

2015-09-09T13:59:03-04:00

I LOVE IT when Soldiers do this for kids with illnesses. I am certain the smiles on the faces of those kids is the ultimate thank you.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 9 at 2015 2:08 PM

2015-09-09T14:08:52-04:00

How nice

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 2:13 PM

2015-09-09T14:13:58-04:00

Big ole' man tears on this one.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 11 at 2015 6:56 AM

2015-09-11T06:56:52-04:00

Trevor, you are the bravest young man in the world. You are the bravest Soldier that the Army has ever seen. GOD bless you for finishing with the Soldiers of your unit. That must have been really, really hard to do.
You are an inspiration to the world; Trevor. We can all learn from you. I certainly have.
With My Forever Love for You- Margaret C Higgins United States Army Retired

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 12:18 PM

2015-09-15T12:18:24-04:00

Great story!! I wish this kind of stuff happened everyday in the Army.