When This 9-Year-Old Donated His Comic Collection To Soldiers Overseas, He Got An Unbelievable Thank You
When This 9-Year-Old Donated His Comic Collection To Soldiers Overseas, He Got An Unbelievable Thank You
9-year-old comic lover Carl coordinated with the Department of Veterans Affairs to donate a large comic collection to soldiers overseas. As a thank you, he got a once-in-a-lifetime tour of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. Find out more here!
9-year-old comic lover Carl coordinated with the Department of Veterans Affairs to donate a large comic collection to soldiers overseas. As a thank you, he got a once-in-a-lifetime tour of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. Find out more here!
Carl, a 9-year-old comic book enthusiast and expert, worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs to donate his own massive collection of comics, along with other donated comic books, to entertain soldiers overseas. When he dropped them off, he thought he would just be taking them in and maybe getting a quick tour. What he got was an amazing journey through Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Trenton, NJ and a parking spot reserved for "Master Carl."
There were so many I got to sit in the front seat! When we got there, I thought I would get a tour and deliver the comic books, but I got a lot more than I expected!
Carl
Carl's Comix, May 7, 2017
After dropping off the comic books, Carl got to tour the planes on base, sitting in every seat and even learning how to open and close the tracks, which are used to load and unload the planes. Next, Carl learned about DREAMing from Commander Rayna Lowery, whose personal motto is "I'm living the DREAM" which stands for Direction, Respect, Execution, Attitude, and Mastery, five tenets by which she lives and wants her team to strive for.
She said that this is how she wants all of her team to act to each other and to their jobs. She also told me that she wants the DREAM motto to grow so everybody can use it.
Carl
Carl's Comix, May 7, 2017
Next, Carl got to try on over 43 lbs of gear in the armory.
It was almost like I had my own me on my head!
Carl
Carl's Comix, May 7, 2017
After a surprise fire drill, Carl was awarded several medals for his service in donating the comics, but then he got the most amazing honor of all. Master Sergeant Dominick Griego took Carl to his office and showed him his collection of medals, asking Carl which he thought was the coolest. Carl chose a coin on an American flag that Master Sergeant Griego had received in conjunction with a purple heart and a bronze star during an attack in Afghanistan. Master Sergeant Griego told Carl to keep it.
After he told me the story, he said he wanted me to keep it as a memory of helping soldiers overseas. I was so surprised and honored that Master Sergeant Griego would give me something so special to him.
Carl
Carl's Comix, May 7, 2017
After long goodbyes, Carl left the base feeling more "special and welcome" than he had ever felt before.
If you'd like to know more, you can visit the Carl's Comix website. What do you think of this awesome story? Talk to us about it in the comments below, and share with your friends to see what they think!