A 14-year old Army Ranger
Houston Chronicle
February 26, 2007
Make-A-Wish Foundation And Army Rangers Make Severely Ill Teen's Military Dreams Come True
By Melissa Nelson, Associated Press
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Weakened by a lifelong struggle with cystic fibrosis, 14-year-old Riley Woina dreamed of being strong like the heroes he'd seen in war movies like Black Hawk Down.
He wanted to parachute, fire rounds, wear a uniform. He wasn't scared of some of the most grueling training the Army has to offer.
So when he was offered the opportunity through the Make-A-Wish foundation to realize his dream, he jumped at the chance. Recently, the Plymouth, Conn., teen got to spend a week watching the U.S. Army's 6th Ranger Training Battalion train in Florida - and even try many of the tasks himself.
"You always want what you cannot have and he'll never be able to join the Army because of his cystic fibrosis, so of course he wants that more than anyone else would. He would join the Army today if he could," said his mother, Susan Woina.
Riley is the first child to ask Make-A-Wish to visit a Ranger camp, said Capt. Jeremiah Cordovano, spokesman for the 6th Ranger Battalion. It was an unusual choice - the foundation often grants wishes for Walt Disney World trips or shopping sprees.
"I knew I probably wouldn't be able to do anything like this again. They do everything down here, the swamp training, everything," Riley said, while eating with his new Ranger buddies in the chow hall at Camp James E. Rudder.
The camp is where Rangers spend 18 grueling days at the end of their 62-day training. Rangers go through realistic combat scenarios and are typically exhausted when they arrive, said Cordovano. But, "you really get to see what you are made of and if you have what it takes to be a combat leader," he said.
During the week, the 80-pound teen got to ride in a helicopter, traverse the swamps with Rangers in an inflatable Zodiac boat and witness a 64-paratrooper night jump from inside a C-130. He even got personalized fatigues, complete with his own combat boots and dog tags.
He also was presented with his own flight suit, a "U.S. Army Air Ambulance Detachment" patch, and his pilot's wings from an 82nd Airborne flight crew. Rangers 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 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.
He got to practice shooting blank M4 rounds and help clear a training room using grenade simulators.
Even a black eye, which he received as Morengo pulled the rip cord grip on a reserve parachute 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.
Riley's cystic fibrosis causes a buildup of a thick mucus that makes breathing difficult and inhibits absorption of nutrients, stunting growth. Riley takes nutritional supplements, respiratory medications, uses an inhaler and sleeps with a special vest that helps to shake up and clear out the mucus in his lungs while he sleeps.
But the Rangers who met him said that he's got the fortitude it takes to be a Ranger. Later this month, he'll get to go to Fort Benning, Ga.,with the successful students for graduation ceremonies.
"He's got nothing to prove to us, he's tough enough," Morengo said.
The experience didn't make Riley fear the grueling physical punishment Rangers experience at Camp Rudder, either - and he wasn't sympathetic.
"It's a way of life for them, they are the ones that signed up for it so it's their fault," he said, as the Rangers around him laughed.
February 26, 2007
Make-A-Wish Foundation And Army Rangers Make Severely Ill Teen's Military Dreams Come True
By Melissa Nelson, Associated Press
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Weakened by a lifelong struggle with cystic fibrosis, 14-year-old Riley Woina dreamed of being strong like the heroes he'd seen in war movies like Black Hawk Down.
He wanted to parachute, fire rounds, wear a uniform. He wasn't scared of some of the most grueling training the Army has to offer.
So when he was offered the opportunity through the Make-A-Wish foundation to realize his dream, he jumped at the chance. Recently, the Plymouth, Conn., teen got to spend a week watching the U.S. Army's 6th Ranger Training Battalion train in Florida - and even try many of the tasks himself.
"You always want what you cannot have and he'll never be able to join the Army because of his cystic fibrosis, so of course he wants that more than anyone else would. He would join the Army today if he could," said his mother, Susan Woina.
Riley is the first child to ask Make-A-Wish to visit a Ranger camp, said Capt. Jeremiah Cordovano, spokesman for the 6th Ranger Battalion. It was an unusual choice - the foundation often grants wishes for Walt Disney World trips or shopping sprees.
"I knew I probably wouldn't be able to do anything like this again. They do everything down here, the swamp training, everything," Riley said, while eating with his new Ranger buddies in the chow hall at Camp James E. Rudder.
The camp is where Rangers spend 18 grueling days at the end of their 62-day training. Rangers go through realistic combat scenarios and are typically exhausted when they arrive, said Cordovano. But, "you really get to see what you are made of and if you have what it takes to be a combat leader," he said.
During the week, the 80-pound teen got to ride in a helicopter, traverse the swamps with Rangers in an inflatable Zodiac boat and witness a 64-paratrooper night jump from inside a C-130. He even got personalized fatigues, complete with his own combat boots and dog tags.
He also was presented with his own flight suit, a "U.S. Army Air Ambulance Detachment" patch, and his pilot's wings from an 82nd Airborne flight crew. Rangers 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 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.
He got to practice shooting blank M4 rounds and help clear a training room using grenade simulators.
Even a black eye, which he received as Morengo pulled the rip cord grip on a reserve parachute 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.
Riley's cystic fibrosis causes a buildup of a thick mucus that makes breathing difficult and inhibits absorption of nutrients, stunting growth. Riley takes nutritional supplements, respiratory medications, uses an inhaler and sleeps with a special vest that helps to shake up and clear out the mucus in his lungs while he sleeps.
But the Rangers who met him said that he's got the fortitude it takes to be a Ranger. Later this month, he'll get to go to Fort Benning, Ga.,with the successful students for graduation ceremonies.
"He's got nothing to prove to us, he's tough enough," Morengo said.
The experience didn't make Riley fear the grueling physical punishment Rangers experience at Camp Rudder, either - and he wasn't sympathetic.
"It's a way of life for them, they are the ones that signed up for it so it's their fault," he said, as the Rangers around him laughed.
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AMEN TO THAT heart warming story.[^][:)][:D] 0 -
I am typing thru tears. 0 -
God bless him. 0 -
That's a great story. Good for Riley.
"Rangers lead the way" in things other than combat too. Way to go guys.0 -
Great story FEENIX.[^] 0 -
That's the kind of person we need more of in the military: the people who want to be soldiers more than anything. 0 -
[8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D][8D]
...if only he could serve. This country needs more like him.0 -
quote:Originally posted by earlwellman
I am typing thru tears.
Me too.0 -
great story. i hope the kid is granted a miracle 0 -
This shows that Rangers have good hearts. (but I knew that!)
RLTW!!0 -
just goes to prove
our military has hearts, and plenty of them.0 -
What a wonderful story... I hope Riley lives a long life.
I once knew a kid who had CF. He was a brave young man but unfortunately only made it to his teens.0 -
Way to go RANGER'S!
I have a 12 yr old nephew who has CF. and a heart problem to boot which requires a pacemaker. To look at him, he appears like a normal, onery kid. He loves to hunt and his Dad owns a hunting guide business, and he has got to hunt with some pretty popular folks as well as having some of his hunts videoed for TV.
Also within the last few years he has gotten into racing. Last year he was stock car racing with the big boys. I beleive he has a Malibu that he races with. He's quite a kid.0 -
That is a great story. I love the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Every year I go to Things Remembered (or online awt thingsremembered.com) and I buy the MAW ornaments for christmas presents. They donate a percentage of my purchase to MAW. I just always hope that every kid gets their wish! 0 -
Good read. 0 -
HOOO- AHHHHH! RLTW ! 0 -
I'd like to know if that class has a higher graduate rate than previous classes. I'd think seeing that boy would be a hell of a motivation.
Ben0 -
quote:Originally posted by FEENIX
"It's a way of life for them, they are the ones that signed up for it so it's their fault," he said, as the Rangers around him laughed.
Me too. [:D][:D][:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by fishermanben
I'd like to know if that class has a higher graduate rate than previous classes. I'd think seeing that boy would be a hell of a motivation.
Ben
That is an interesting point, be nice if we could find out.0 -
RLTW! A proud 1/75 RANGER dad knows all about the swamp phase of RANGER training. It is not for the faint of heart. To late to up the grad rate though, most who make it that far are going to be great RANGERS,the ones who aren't are already gone by that time. Way to go kid!!!! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by LOKO383
AMEN TO THAT heart warming story.[^][:)][:D]
+1,000,000,0000 -
Thanks for the great story. I am glad they have the make a wish foundatiom. [:D] 0 -
Damn...tough kid...tough story. Congrats to him having his wish granted. 0 -
GOD Bless him and Thanks for the Great story. [8D] 0 -
I think thats great........[:D] 0 -
Cystic Fibrosis is a rough patch, my next nieghbor has a niece who has it she is one tough 14-15 year old, she's a real beauty with flaming red hair like Nicole Kidman. I assist in fundraiser for her every year no matter how sick she is her attitude is a roll model example for us oldsters who generally just complain about being old. 0 -
...A VERY good story, for a change...[;)] 
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Great story. That kid's got spirit. The Rangers know a good man when they see one.[:)] 0 -
Damn you guys! You know what a story like that does to me and you tell in anyway. Thank you. None of you will ever know how much I would love to hug that kid AND the Rangers. God bless them all. 0
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