The Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Federal Police joined together over the weekend to grant a terminally ill boy’s wish to command a navy ship come true.
“I’d like my wish to be a memory and not a thing, because a memory, I can always have it,” 12-year-old Daniel said, explaining that he wanted his “Make-A-Wish Australia” dream to be a memory because he might outgrow a physical item.
Since he was born on Anzac Day, a national day of commemoration for Australians and New Zealanders who fought and died in battle, Daniel wished to be picked up by a police car and flown out in a helicopter to a navy battleship, whereafter he would command the war vessel.
The Royal Australian Navy made his wish come true after police flew him in a helicopter to the HMAS Creswell base in Jervis Bay, New South Wales, where he also got to spend the night.
Daniel then boarded the HMAS Hobart, where he took command of the guided missile destroyer for a day as part of “Operation Kingsman.” The deputy chief of the Navy, Michael Noonan, appointed Daniel as the temporary captain of the ship. The 7,000 ton destroyer has only been in service for about two months according to its captain, John Stavridis.
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Make-A-Wish Australia has been making the dreams of terminally sick children come true since its founding in 1985, and has granted more than 8,000 wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. The foundation works to give sick children and teenagers strength to face the challenges of their illnesses, and hope that future cures will be discovered.
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