MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Jared Hyams is a normal 13-year-old boy who loves airplanes, treasure hunting with his metal detector and has big dreams of becoming a pilot someday.
In the midst of his childhood though, he faces a serious medical condition. Jared has generalized dystonia type one, a neurological movement disorder. The Make-A-Wish Foundation, which is committed to helping children with life-threatening medical conditions, offered Jared the chance to fulfill his dream of flight. Jared’s wish was to attend the 2009 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show with his family Oct 1.
Jared’s first stop with the Marines was the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 hangar. Capt. Taj Sareen, an F/A-18 “Hornet” pilot and Jared’s escort for the day, greeted the family as they pulled up. After showing him a cage containing two live rattle snakes -- the “Death Rattlers” mascots, a special guest entered the ready room. Lt. Col. William Swan, the squadron commanding officer, introduced himself to the family and gave them a brief introduction to the history and mission of the squadron and the plans for the day. During the introduction, Swan leaned over and asked Jared what his favorite jet was.
“Definitely the Harrier,” said Jared.
Swan laughed and said “By the end of the day, we’re going to make the F/A-18 your favorite!”
Sareen gave the family a formal introduction to the jet, a chance to sit in the cockpit, and then they made their way to the F/A-18 simulator. With the help of Maj. Chris Collins, a U.S. Navy Blue Angels pilot, Jared strapped into the simulator’s cockpit and soared across the San Diego Bay, under the Coronado Bay Bridge and even landed on a carrier in the Pacific Ocean.
“It was awesome,” said Jared, bounding out of the simulator, now wearing a Blue Angels flight suit, a gift from Marine Corps Community Services. “I landed on the carrier, and my brother couldn’t do it!”
Sibling rivalry was quickly replaced by anticipation to see live performances as the family headed to the flight line for the Marine Air Ground Task Force demonstration, the Shockwave jet-truck, and a civilian stunt plane piloted by Sean Tucker.
“I’d heard it was one of the best air shows in the United States,” said Jared. “They were right!”
For Jared, the best part of the day was about to happen -- seeing the U.S. Navy Blue Angels team performance. The team took off and performed many of their popular stunts, including vertical rolls and a sneak pass.
After the Blue Angels touched down, Jared and his family met the team and took a picture in front of a jet. After talking to a few pilots, including the C-130 “Fat Albert” Marine pilot, Jared and his father took a picture with the team.
According to the beaming teen, the Blue Angels were “cool,” and the planes were now his favorite. When asked what his favorite thing was about the fighter jets, Jared said, “Being able to shoot stuff down.”
The Blue Angels demonstration was the last act of the show, and the end of Jared’s tour. A day full of meet-and-greets with distinguished military personnel, exclusive tours of the squadron, aerial demonstrations and displays gave Jared exactly what he asked for and more, but according to Sareen, it was the least they could do.
“He can wish to do anything, yet his one wish was to come hang out with us,” said Sareen. “It doesn’t get better than that. The fact that he wanted to come do this with us is jaw-dropping.”
For Jared’s parents though, the amount of effort and kindness everyone put into making the day so special for Jared was incredibly generous, commented Susan Hyams, Jared’s mother.
“They’ve bent over backwards for us, it has been incredible,” said Susan. “They made one child very happy.”
Although the day with his new friends was over, the family still had a few more days in San Diego. Before leaving the flight line, Jared made sure they knew his intentions were to spend the next day at the air show too.
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