Gunslinger 22

Lance Cpl. Kevin Valdez, an operations clerk mobilized with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234, embraces Michael McLeanerny, a 12-year-old Burkitt’s lymphoma survivor who Valdez visited in a local children’s hospital during his battle with lymphoma last year. During one of the many hospital visits, Valdez gave McLearney a Marine Corps teddy bear his Desert Storm/Desert Shield combat veteran father gave him when he was a child. Exactly one year since he won his battle with lymphoma, McLearney reunited with his mentor and returned the bear to him aboard Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas, June 27. Valdez will be deploying in the coming months.