Disabled HS Senior named 'Honorary Soldier'
By: D. Charone Monday, Public Affairs Specialist, Columbus Recruiting Battalion
March 13, 2014
Lucas Hannon, a senior at Clermont Northeastern High School in Batavia, Ohio, dreamed of being a Soldier. Unfortunately, he suffers with spina bifida, a developmental congenital disorder that confines him to a wheelchair.
When he asked a school administrator to speak to a recruiter about his dream, Staff Sgt. Timothy Rhodes, Eastgate Recruiting Center, scheduled an appointment with Hannon. Rhodes realized in a moment that Hannon was not medically qualified and gave him the bad news.
However, as Rhodes continued to speak with the young man, he was impressed with his positive attitude and desire to serve his country as a Soldier. Rhodes decided he would come up with a way to honor Hannon’s dream the best way he could.
The Columbus Recruiting Battalion NCO created an “Honorary Soldier” award and asked to present it to him at a student assembly. Clermont Northeastern officials agreed to the idea and persuaded local TV stations to cover the event.
The day of the assembly, Rhodes spoke to the senior class about his Army experiences and job as a recruiter. Then, to Hannon’s surprise, Rhodes called him to the front of the student body and presented him with a plaque and an American flag. Rhodes then conferred upon him the title of “Honorary Soldier.”
After the assembly, while being interviewed by the TV station, teary-eyed Hannon said, “This means everything to me. I’ve always wanted to be special to someone, to feel like I meant something to the world.”
Though he may never make it into the Army, Rhodes has a great admiration for Hannon.
“Lucas has the greatest motivation to succeed and be successful. I think there are nothing but great things to come in his career and his life,” said Rhodes.
By: D. Charone Monday, Public Affairs Specialist, Columbus Recruiting Battalion
March 13, 2014
Lucas Hannon, a senior at Clermont Northeastern High School in Batavia, Ohio, dreamed of being a Soldier. Unfortunately, he suffers with spina bifida, a developmental congenital disorder that confines him to a wheelchair.
When he asked a school administrator to speak to a recruiter about his dream, Staff Sgt. Timothy Rhodes, Eastgate Recruiting Center, scheduled an appointment with Hannon. Rhodes realized in a moment that Hannon was not medically qualified and gave him the bad news.
However, as Rhodes continued to speak with the young man, he was impressed with his positive attitude and desire to serve his country as a Soldier. Rhodes decided he would come up with a way to honor Hannon’s dream the best way he could.
The Columbus Recruiting Battalion NCO created an “Honorary Soldier” award and asked to present it to him at a student assembly. Clermont Northeastern officials agreed to the idea and persuaded local TV stations to cover the event.
The day of the assembly, Rhodes spoke to the senior class about his Army experiences and job as a recruiter. Then, to Hannon’s surprise, Rhodes called him to the front of the student body and presented him with a plaque and an American flag. Rhodes then conferred upon him the title of “Honorary Soldier.”
After the assembly, while being interviewed by the TV station, teary-eyed Hannon said, “This means everything to me. I’ve always wanted to be special to someone, to feel like I meant something to the world.”
Though he may never make it into the Army, Rhodes has a great admiration for Hannon.
“Lucas has the greatest motivation to succeed and be successful. I think there are nothing but great things to come in his career and his life,” said Rhodes.