Military service members attend funeral of 5-year-old who died of cancer
 

Military service members attend funeral of 5-year-old who died of cancer
By: Jackie Salo - New York Post - 6-25-19
RE: https://nypost.com/2019/06/25/milita...ied-of-cancer/

Photo link of a brave Army soldier to be: https://thenypost.files.wordpress.co...8&h=410&crop=1
River "Oakley" Nimmo

A 5-year-old Arkansas boy who died of cancer was laid to rest in a funeral attended by active-duty service members paying tribute to the little “soldier.”

River “Oakley” Nimmo — who dreamed of becoming an “Army man” — died last Thursday after a years-long battle with neuroblastoma, a cancer that develops from nerve tissue, according to his obituary.

“Oakley spent most of this life, fighting to live and did it with a smile on his face,” the obituary says.

He was diagnosed with the cancer when he was 2 years old in 2015 and went into remission two years later, according to a GoFundMe page.

But just a month later, the cancer was discovered again during a routine doctors visit, his family said. His cancer then spread to his bones throughout his body, including his spine, knee, skull and pelvis, according to a Facebook page dedicated to his battle.

His family said Friday that he died in hospice and “fought 110% until the end.”

In a Facebook post, his parents said they wanted the funeral “to be big so we can send off this sweet boy with a bang.”

“We are going to give Oakley a full military service in honor of his wish to become an ‘Army Man’ one day,” they wrote on Facebook. “We ask that any active military members and/or veterans to please attend the funeral in their uniforms.”

Dozens of uniformed service members showed up Tuesday to honor the little boy, who was promoted posthumously to Honorary Colonel in the state’s National Guard, according to news station KATV.

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Gee Fellow's that was a swell tribute to this little man. It had to be difficult to loose such a young Army recruit. It's guys like Vet's and Active Duty personnel who step up and go the extra mile for such a situation. I'm sure the Little Recruit was watching as you laid him to rest and I know it touched my heart to see the young pass away but he fought the battle and lost - but he will never be forgotten. Thanks Guys you're one hell of bunch of great guys who know how to the right thing!

My respects to the little guy's folks and family members.

Boats