Make-a-Wish Foundation helps teen become a soldier - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

Make-a-Wish Foundation helps teen become a soldier

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FORT KNOX, KY (WAVE) - A Belgian teenager with a life-threatening medical condition realized his lifelong wish at Fort Knox Tuesday and was able to experience what it's like to be an American soldier.

After hearing stories from his grandfather about the U.S. Army and World War II, Antoine Brisbois, 16, who has battled bone cancer since he was 12, made a wish to the Make-a-Wish Foundation to become a U.S. Army soldier.

Antoine was given a uniform, shown the guns, and taken through drills in and out of buildings made to resemble a city.

"He's going to get some familiarization with our Army equipment, he's going to get some weapons familiarization of how our weapons work with the infantry unit and then he's going to see how we do operations abroad in Afghanistan and Iraq," said Col. Ed Box.

Antoine's wish is now a cherished memory, thanks to the soldiers at Fort Knox and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

"I'm extremely happy," Antoine said. "It's a beautiful uniform. It's an extreme honor to wear the American uniform."

Antoine's family said it was only natural he would wish to be a soldier because he fought cancer like a soldier for five years. He is now in remission.

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