The U.S. Navy and Make-A-Wish Foundation joined hands Jan. 14 to transform dreams into reality for a child battling a life-threatening illness.

Twelve-year-old David Gibson was diagnosed with undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver about 11 months prior to his arrival to San Diego from his hometown of Bromall, Pennsylvania, several days earlier. His love of Navy explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) teams, however, was something he'd been carrying much longer.

"It started with a demonstration at a Navy vs. Air Force game we took him to when he was in the 3rd grade," said Kim Gibson, David's mother. "Since then, he's been all about anything bomb-squad related. Even under his 5th grade yearbook photo, it said 'future bomb squad member.'"

When the Make-A-Wish Foundation contacted the Gibson family and sat down with David to learn about his "wish," he told them all he wanted was to meet real Navy EOD personnel. What he received was far beyond his expectations.

"I thought I was going to meet them and hang around on their base," said David. "I was surprised to get to do so much with them! We did training missions, went through an underground tunnel with a bunch of secret passages, and cut wires to diffuse fake bombs -- that was my favorite part. Everything we did was really fun!"

By the end of the day, David received his own EOD uniform, complete with body armor, unit patches, and a signed baseball cap, been at the controls of two types EOD robots, seen several demonstrations, and competed two practice EOD missions of his own. The day ended with a pizza party that filled half a pizza parlor with EOD personnel as an early celebration of David's 13th birthday, which was the following day.

For Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 2nd Class (select) Christopher Malak and Lt. j.g. Kevin Sheffler both assigned to EOD Mobile Unit 11, being a part of David's wish was something very close to home.

"My cousin had leukemia, and Make-A-Wish took him to meet his favorite baseball team," said Malak. "Being on the other side of that experience and being able to do this for someone else really means a lot to me."

"Make-A-Wish brought us to Nashville, Tennessee, from Colorado so my brother could meet his favorite band," said Sheffler. "When I heard that David was coming, and I'd get a chance to be a part of it, there was no hesitation. Being able to give back to an organization that did so much for my family, as well as meet a kid who even knows what EOD is, let alone has a passion for it, that's incredible."

According to Ashley Irving, David's wish assist coordinator of Make-A-Wish Foundation San Diego, in addition to the events put on by the Navy, David and his family received their weeklong trip, stay at the Hotel Del Coronado, and visits to the San Diego Zoo, Universal Studios and Sea World at no cost.

"The whole experience has been great," said David's father, Steve Gibson. "Make-A-Wish is something that really brings out the best in people. Everywhere we've been the generosity has been overwhelming. On top of that, the things David got to do with the Navy have been more than he ever could have expected. He smiles all the time, but today he's been ear to ear - the biggest smile I've ever seen."

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