Candy bars for the troops

Published Nov. 6, 2015
By Staff Sgt. Katie Jackson
62 Airlift Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Candy bars are usually something children enjoy year round and like to keep to themselves. For one 9-year-old Tacoma, Wash., child, collecting candy bars for service members is much more enjoyable.

Aidan McConlin was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age and has been mostly confined to a wheelchair since he was in first grade. While he is able to walk with assistance for short periods, he recently had surgery on both legs and has been attending physical therapy to regain his strength.

Along with physical therapy, recently Aidan has spent a lot of time working to collect candy bars to donate to deploying service members.

During a recent school fundraiser selling candy bars, Aidan and Seipral McConlin, AIden's mother, had an idea to collect the candy bars for service members, rather than families keeping the purchases for themselves.

"I think everybody needs some candy," said Aidan. "It's a nice thought because they protect our country."

Kelly Evans, the Northeast Tacoma Elementary School and Aidan's principal, agreed to the plan to collect and donate these candy bars. In total, Aidan contributed to the collection of more than 600 candy bars which were distributed to Soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., upon their departure on one of their most recent deployments.

"I think the most important thing about Aidan is that he teaches all of us, kids and staff, about the importance of seeing abilities," said Evans.

As a small token of appreciation for all the hard work, Aidan, Seipral, Kelly, and Cynthia Limestall, Aidan's teacher, were provided a small tour of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., which included a tour of the Troop Holding Area, a Military Working Dog demonstration, and a tour of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft on Nov. 5.

During the Troop Holding Area portion of the tour, Aidan was very excited for the opportunity to talk "candy" with some Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion 1st Special Forces Group, who happened to be there for training. Aidan and 1st Lt. Shane Winnings, the 2nd BN 1st SFG company executive officer, discussed their favorite kinds of candy and Aidan was able to learn a few things about parachutes.

Following the THA tour, Aidan was able to watch a Military Working Dog demonstration where he learned some of the commands that the dogs are taught and was able to throw a few toys around for the dog.

"I know how to work with dogs! I know how to work with dogs!" cheered Aidan during the demonstration.

Sgt. Jermaine Rockett and Spc. Noah Fillorano, 95th Military Police Detachment MWD handlers, and the MWDs demonstrate some of their capabilities, such as the bite suit.

The final portion of their visit consisted of a tour of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. The McConlins live nearby base and often see the C-17s fly over their house. Seipral regularly refers to the aircraft as a "beast" because of their large size.

"We're inside of the belly of the beast!" Aidan said, in wonderment, as soon as he was inside the aircraft.

The tour of the C-17 was Aidan's first time on a plane, and he had many questions on everything that caught his eye. To finish the tour, Aidan was able to watch a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft taxi to the runway before its departure.

"I'm so proud of my son, he's not a quitter. He's had 52 surgeries and he just keeps going [with initiatives like collecting candy bars]," said Seipral of her son Aidan.