Part 1: "Rowan Windham, Private First Class, Texas Army National Guard" (arrival, uniform and enlistment ceremony)

As many of you know, Rowan received one of the biggest honors you can receive today...and it all came as a surprise to him.  Rowan went to Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas and had an enlistment ceremony, becoming an honorary member of the Texas National Guard.  It was such an amazing day.   Now, I obviously cannot recant every single, wonderful, moving, moment that we enjoyed today, but I definitely want to try to make you feel like you got to experience it with us, as much as possible.  So, I will do my best through the photos that we took today, and through a few specific details, that I hope will give you a better, more complete picture.  We told Rowan we had a surprise for him, but did not give him any clues at all.  He had absolutely no idea where he was headed... ...the entire hour drive there. Once we pulled in though, Rowan sat up taller in his car seat and said, "Are we on a military base?!"  We said yes, but he still had no idea what all was in store him him.  Actually, none of us were prepared for what was in store today.   He had a reception group waiting for his arrival, and was introduced to, and shook hands with, multiple ranks of the National Guard: SGT, SSG, MSG, SGM, CSM, CW5, 1LT, COL, Brigadier General and Major General (and probably more that I am regretfully forgetting to type).  I mean, this was HUGE!  We were all so humbled and honored to be in the company of such great men, who defend our country on a daily basis.  Rowan was in complete shock, and could barely speak.  Which you all know is a big deal for him:) They helped Rowan and his big brother Ian into a WWII jeep... And we followed them to the next location on base... ...past the Texas Military Forces Museum and Armor Row Artillery Park...   ...to what appeared to be the offices.  Rowan thought he was just getting a basic tour of the base, and believe me he would have been thrilled with just that.  But, no.  His escort took him into a back room and gave him yet another surprise...his own Army issued uniform, hat, and dog tags!   Rowan was speechless, in complete shock. Ian helped him with his dog tags... ...and he was ready to report to duty. Then, they lined him up with other members of the National Guard. This face says it all... he was overjoyed! Side note: This is David Hixson, a PCA from Methodist Children's Hospital, who has taken Rowan's vitals on countless occasions on his overnight shifts while Rowan was hospitalized there on the 4th floor.  David is also known as SGT David Hixson, of the Texas Army National Guard.  He knew that Rowan dreamed of being in the military, so he spoke to his chain of command and is in all actuality, the one who started this, and eventually made it happen, with the help of many higher ups.  We love you David, and cannot thank you enough for making Rowan's dreams come true.   I talked to David again tonight on the phone and we laughed, because this all started from a little piece of paper that Rowan wrote on over a year ago while in the hospital...I wish I could find it right now (I know I saved it), but we both remember that it said "Rowan Windham, you have been accepted in the Army" and it had a dollar amount written on it, which Rowan said he would pay to be in the Army:)  David never forgot that dream of Rowan's, and here we are more than a year or two later, watching it come true. Once they were lined up and the doors opened, all of our jaws dropped. The room was filled to capacity, and then some, at standing room only. There were nearly 300 members of the National Guard, state and local representatives, and the media.  They were all there for Rowan...for his enlistment ceremony.    Rowan received a standing ovation from the crowd when he was announced as the honored guest... They started the ceremony with all the pomp and circumstance of a true military event. Rowan recited the oath...   “I, Rowan Windham, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the officers appointed over me, “So help me God."   ...was presented with his honorary certificate... "Be it known that this year of two thousand and fifteen , and henceforth for all time, the officers, non-commissioned officers and Soldiers of the Texas National Guard, invested with the powers forged in battle, continued through loyal service and duly vested by the sacrifices of Texas’ sons and daughters have endured for our freedom, do hereby declare: Rowan Windham An Honorary Lifetime Soldier And do extend unto him all rights and privileges afforded to these protectors of freedom and guardians of the future of the Texas National Guard. We extend to you our best wishes for success and happiness in your future and proclaim that a place of honor is reserved for you in our ranks for all time as we are grateful for the partnership formed with our organizations.  Given under my hand this twenty seventh day of March, two thousand and fifteen, at Camp Mabry, Texas. Signed Mark A Weedon Command Sergeant Major, Senior Enlisted Leader, Texas National Guard and Sean A. Ryan, Brigadier General, Deputy Commander, Texas Army National Guard ...received some more applause...... and just beamed from ear to ear the whole time. Once enlisted, he was welcomed by his fellow soldiers and countrymen, his new Army National Guard family. They weren't done there though.  Nope. The Deputy Army Commander; Texas Military Forces, Brigadier General Sean A. Ryan went one very important step further.  As he explained, once you are enlisted, you are assigned to a specific division.  For Rowan, they chose the 124th Cavalry.  Brigadier General Ryan continued to explain that the 124th Cavalry is known for pressing on, moving forward... as in, "send in the cavalry!"  Then he presented Rowan with the Stetson and Spurs of the 124th Cavalry, placing the hat upon Rowan's head and the the spurs onto his feet.  I cannot tell you how special these details were.  So monumentally touching!   Rowan saluted the Brigadier General. They offered him the floor, and he was nervous at first.  I told him to just thank them and tell them how he felt about the day.  His words, in a very emotional, shaky voice,  "Thank you.  This is the best day ever, of my whole entire life." I know the pictures help give you a taste of how important this day was for Rowan, but one thing I did ask them to email me was the script for the ceremony.  Below is an excerpt from that script.  I wanted to make sure those of you who could not be there in person could hear how they correlated Rowan's life trials and perseverance, to the core values of the Army.  It was beautiful, and so poignant.  Lots of tears were shed. "Welcome everyone and thank you for attending today’s event. We are brought here today because of one of our true “Citizen Soldiers”. SGT David Hickson recognized and shared Rowan Windham’s remarkable story with our organization’s leadership. Because of SGT Hickson we are able to recognize an 8 year old young man that examples our organization’s ideals and values. Rowan lives with a rare disorder that affects multiple biological systems, blood and bone marrow. Over the course of his courageous journey, he has spent over 900 days in a hospital, 71 OR trips and dozens of blood transfusions. Rowan is uniquely qualified to be called “remarkable”. Due to missing holidays and birthdays because of extended hospital stays, Rowan and his family, founded a foundation in his name. The purpose is to help make other young patients and their families’ hospitalization a little easier, especially during holiday seasons. This is only one small example that depicts just how special our honoree truly is.  Despite mental and physical adversities that many adults could not manage, Rowan has consistently demonstrated trust in his faith, humble spirit and compassion for others, all of which he has placed before his own personal needs. Rowan’s core values and kind spirit can be directly correlated to our Army Values: Loyalty: To his friends, family and community Duty:  To meet and exceed difficult treatment requirements Respect: Treating others better than he expects to be treated Selfless Service: Putting the needs of other before his own Honor: Maintains his stead fast demeanor and kind spirit  Integrity: Consistently doing the right thing, when no one is watching Personal Courage: Faces fear and adversity without hesitation   Rowan’s achievements and inspiration are ideal characteristics that are sought in all organizational members. Because of your qualities and superior community involvement we are all proud to have you as an honorary Texas Army National Guard member." ~~~~~~~~~~ I know we will never be able to thank every single person who helped put this ceremony together, or all of the men and women who attended and made it so special for Rowan, Ian and our entire family.  I do want to at least attempt to thank a few people though:  Escort:    1 LT Watson, SSG Leal MC:        SSG Cruz Chaplain: Ben Craver Major General John F. Nichols Brigadier General Sean A. Ryan Command Sergeant Major Mark A. Weedon SGT David Hickson  CPT Martha Nigrelle The Medics who were present/assigned to help monitor and care for Rowan Texas House Member, Representative Susan King, District 71 Major General William Smith Major General Kenneth Wisian Texas Military Forces Chief of Staff Colonel Gregory Chaney Texas Army National Guard Chief of Staff; Colonel Darrell Dement Chief Warrant Officer Five Earnest Metcalf Command Sergeant Major John Hoxie   Staff members from the offices of Representative Susan King & Representative Ryan Guillen All of the employees, servicemen and attendees at today's ceremony And all of the members of the media/press who attended From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your service, kindness, and for your generosity of spirit with Rowan and our family today. ~~~~~~~~~~ Now, you are surely thinking, like Rowan, that I just documented the best day ever... but, I'm not even done yet.  There was so much more after the ceremony itself.  I will post "Part 2" tomorrow.