February 27, 2007
The crew presented Riley with his own flight suit, a “U.S. Army Air Ambulance Detachment†patch, and his pilot’s wings.They also helped him to radio his mom from the helicopter while hovering above the beach.
“Mom, this is Riley. This is awesome,†he said.
“Riley, I’m glad you’re having a good time,†she said.
The Rangers joked with Riley about his fondness for the flight suit, telling him he had to take it off before he joined them to practice jump training inside a mock C-130 aircraft frame. The Rangers had earlier presented him with personalized fatigues, complete with his own combat boots and dog tags.
The Rangers showed Riley how to deploy a parachute and a reserve parachute. As his parents and older brother, Ryan, laughed at Riley’s enthusiasm, Master Sgts. Jose Morengo and Alexander Barnett rolled on the ground, jumped off benches and unfurled the parachutes.
Even a black eye, which happened as Morengo pulled the rip cord grip on a reserve parachute that he strapped around Riley’s waist, didn’t keep Riley from smiling. Morengo gave Riley the rip cord grip as a souvenir, explaining that it was the ultimate trophy of surviving a harrowing experience.
And the day got better when the men let him shoot blank M4 rounds and help clear a training room using grenade simulators. He then watched dozens of Ranger students practice being lifted in and out of helicopters on ropes.
stein hoist: Coach TC at the lovely and talented SondraK's. This isn't an ad, but if you were inspired by this as I was, you may make a donation to Make A Wish Foundation here.
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Posted by: Darth Odie at February 27, 2007 04:37 PM (YHZAl)
USA, all the way!Posted by: Michael Weaver at February 28, 2007 05:17 AM (2OHpj)
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