MARQUETTE - A young boy who was diagnosed with cancer had a wish to be part of the U.S. Army for a day, and on Saturday that wish came true.
Ladd Anderson, 10, of Calumet was diagnosed with leukemia last October. He has since been through radiation and chemotherapy.
"He's tolerated (the cancer) quite well so far," said Becky Anderson, Ladd's mother. "The nurses have said that some of the shots he's gotten in his leg, teenagers cry when getting them, but Ladd just sucks in a deep breath and he's done."
Article Photos
Ladd Anderson, 10, calls the troops to attention and orders them to do push ups Saturday at Lower Harbor Park in Marquette. (Journal photo by Adelle Whitefoot)
On his Make A Wish Day, Ladd wanted to go on a shopping spree in Marquette. He was driven around in a limousine from Elite Limo of Kingsford and that was just the start of how Ladd's second wish came true.
"The lady from the limo company that drove us around found out about him wanted to be in the Army for a day," Becky said. "So she made a few phone calls and set this up. It was a surprise we weren't even expecting."
Ladd's older brother is in the Army and when his family went to see him, Ladd couldn't go because he had been too sick from the cancer, Becky said, and that's what brought about the wish.
"Whenever he goes in for a treatment they always say how strong he is like his older brother," Becky said.
Ladd's day in the Army started off with him getting dressed in camouflage gear and hat. Then he was brought on the Ribbon Float Bridge in Lower Harbor and sworn in by the 652nd Engineer Company of the United States Army Reserve. Ladd then helped put together a part of the bridge.
The entire time, Ladd tried to keep a straight serious face on while in uniform only letting a smile crack through every once in awhile.
"This is something we'll talk about forever," Becky said.
Adelle Whitefoot can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 243.