Many children who dream of enlisting in the military eventually get the chance to do so, but 10-year-old Khalil Quarles likely will not. The youngster, who is being treated for cancer, has always wanted to meet a soldier, and for Christmas he got his wish, according to the Albany Herald.
The plan was hatched by Maj. Norland James, a soldier serving in Kuwait, who had heard of Quarles' love for the military. He quickly enlisted the help of fellow troops at Maryland's Fort Meade, where people volunteered by gathering presents and several military vehicles in order to surprise Quarles for Christmas.
Then, on December 19, James talked to Quarles via Skype before shocking him with a front yard full of Army Reserve soldiers and a Humvee parked in his driveway.
"I could see in his eyes this was an, 'I can't believe this is happening' kind of moment," James told the Army's official website. "It felt great, knowing that I was helping fulfill this moment for him."
After a ceremony that included singing the National Anthem and opening other Christmas presents, Quarles was made an honorary member of the U.S. Army.