I can think of some drill sergeants who could give this young man an interesting view of military life...

Walter Reed should have been part of his field trip, So that when he sees soilders who will never walk again he will understand that war is not just G.I. Joe.

As usual, the Left cannot understand nobility.

Ethan is a young man of uncommon principle, determination, and persistance.

Like the commercial says, not just strong:

Army Strong.

DJ: I agree. In fact, Ethan could very well be the Poster boy for ARMY STRONG.

God Bless you Ethan.

And kudos to Maj. Hunt and the Army to see the value of making this wish come true.

Ths s nt bt th pltcs f dlts.
Ths s bt chld, lk t mn chldrn wh m d t sn.
Hw frtnt w r t hv lvd s lng s w hv.
Pls gv t lst smll dntn hr.
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Nogo, WILL YOU FUCK OFF ALREADY? --J.

What, the kid didn't want to be Navy? We need more navy video games. Which I believe are the answer to your question. When we played army somebody said pow pow and you fell over. Now they play video games and from nowhere someone blows their arm off. It's just a little too real. People still go in though I teach seniors and have recruiters in all the time and I have about ten kids who go in every year.

Ths s chld dng.
Cn w rspct tht?
Nogo, WILL YOU FUCK OFF ALREADY? --J.

I love this organization and how they make things happen for kids that otherwise wouldn't have a chance! :)

So 'Oh God' has no God or brains.
If I lived close to the young man I'd take him to a firing range and let him shoot a lot of different weapons. I have German, American and Japanese from WWII along with a dozen or so modern hunting weapons. By the way, I did serve 22 years in the military.

And I don't understand why they seemingly wanted to talk him out of being an Army soldier for a day. What dream is there that is more admirable than that? The values that are intrinsic to being a soldier are the ones you'd think parents would be falling all over each other to instill into their sons -- courage, honor, integrity, teamwork, strength, love of country.

Are you out of your mind? It would be one thing if this kid wanted to be a soldier because they help people, spread freedom, or some other "Awww!" factor reason. But read the story. He wants to be a solider so he can sneak up on people, bomb them from a tank, and take out as many as he can.

Awww! Isn't that uncommon principle just so admirable? What parent wouldn't beam with pride hearing their child express such dreams?

I must agree with nogo. Despite his intense desire Ethan is still only a 9 year old boy who I don't think has any true idea of the nobility of being a soldier and the gruesome effects war can have. But I in no way want to diminish Ethan's dream with what I guess might sound like a condescending statement. He is a child whose life is in danger and I am happy those around him have allowed the Army to make his wish come true.

God bless Maj. Cort Hunt and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
And a large helping of shame on those who seek to rain on his parade. Outside of Berkeley, playing army is a natural part of growing up for boys. In our neighborhood we played army all the time, and bragging rights went to the ones who could sneak up on the others. It's good to see that not everything has changed.
Real boys grow up into real men.

Come on, people. He is a little boy, with little boy dreams. When I was nine, we rode our bikes out into the woods, had toy rifles and pistols, pine cone grenades and fence post mortars. We sniped at each other, and died in the most dramatic ways. The military was admired and we debated on which branch of the service we would go into. Mostly Marines or fighter pilots. (It helped living close to Camp LeJeune and Seymour Johnson AFB). After five years in the Navy, I got out, still with pride in my service and severe disappointment with people who just don't get it. Being a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine is an honorable profession. I would rather a child look up to one of them than to an athlete or musician.

No, we're not out of our mind, Brian.

And we're not questioning your patriotism, either. We are wondering what you've done with it, since it's not in evident use, is all.

I don't decry a 9 year-old's desire to drive a tank, shoot missiles or bombs, or stand on a rock going "rat-a-tat-tat" while his friends take imaginary shrapnel. That's normal behavior. But those who would pervert that fantasy by wrapping him in the flag and holding him up as a prop and a beacon of honor are crossing the line.

Remember, the kid didn't say he wants to be a soldier because he admires them, they're heros, they're brave, they protect people, etc. That would be legitimate to encourage. But he didn't say that. He said he wants to be a solider because they get to sneak up on and kill people. And when he got to meet an Army rep, he didn't ask if it was hard to be brave; he asked how many people a tank could "take out". While those are true and necessary realities that the military has to deal with, a child's interest in them does not represent "uncommon principle". Certainly if the same desire were expressed by a Palestinian child, the Wizbang crowd would have a much different opinion.

In the Army?

In the ARMY!?!?!

Why not the Navy?

I love this story. I think I would have chosen this as my dream, too.

We played War all the time as kids. Most games (fun ones, that is) are based on the concept of fighting and holding territory. Tag, Hide-n-go-Seek, Capture the Flag, our own invention we called "Round the House", all good times.

Right now the kids are playing "Call of Duty 4" as their 1/2 hour after school video time. Last week we finished "Ender's Game" for our family book.

And yes, there is a man in the house. A gorgeous hunk o' man, descended from warriors, brave and true. As his sons and daughters will also be.

And we're not questioning your patriotism, either. We are wondering what you've done with it, since it's not in evident use, is all.

Yeah, DJ. Because what's more patriotic than finding a little boy whose dying wish is to take people out with a tank, and twisting him into your poster child for "honor" and "integrity"? Perhaps you should join Hamas. They share your "patriotic" values.

"he didn't ask if it was hard to be brave;"

Gee - he didn't get all emo! You don't get it! He WANTS to be like his heroes! THEY don't stand around asking themselves if they're brave! What concept does a 9-year old have of military life?

Kids need heroes. No, it's not politically correct - but it's reality. And we tear the heroes apart as soon as they appear, because we can't really have 'heroes' like that around any more, can we? The kids might learn certain concepts like, oh, honor... and courage... and integrity... and maybe even learn to love their country. How outmoded! How ridiculous!

But how needed...

This boy has found heroes he can believe in. Your opinion has no effect on his beliefs - and thank heaven for that. The men who helped him will stand a bit taller, a bit straighter - because they've seen themselves through the eyes of a boy who idolizes them, and they'll do their best as individuals to make sure they don't fail him. Maybe one of them will be in a situation one day akin to Abu Ghraib... and stop his fellows because he remembers how it felt to be a hero to a 9-year old. Because heroism works both ways, Brian.

If we appreciate them - and can appreciate a young man who wants to be like them - and you don't like it... then it's your loss.

Just for the record - I meant my opening comment to be tongue in cheek!

My boys Grant 11

Caleb 9

Their friend Charlie, 11
Scott 10
Brandon 9

get together and build forts, run through the woods and cattle pasture with their toy guns and grenades playing army all the time. I have more camo clothing and bedding around my home than most military bases /exagerration

Charlie, Grant, and Caleb started the Young Marines program last Saturday. They go through bootcamp, on a kid level, but it's tough on them. They do the drills, run the laps, do the push ups, situps, pull ups, have the haircuts, salute, say yes sir/no sir and will be issued their cammies in two weeks.

I am proud of them. While I fear one day they will grow up and actually join the army or marines, I also realize someone has to do it. Why not my kids? Let them play soldiers and the bad guys. Let them build forts and work out strategies on how to win the battle, even if imaginary. It's how they learn.

You know, F**k you, Laura Ingram, that makes this combat vet proud enough to cry.

What does this have to do with Laura Ingraham, Mundane?

His mom says she has "no idea" where he got it from because there's "no military" in their family.

I had no history of military service in my family. Somehow, I ended up with a desire to atend West Point. I did and I graduated and served as an Army officer. Apparently, I am some sort of freak of nature.

This will bother the liberals becuase the kid dont want to be a herb gardener or tree hugger he want to be a solder