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Air Force cadet conquered cancer to get lieutenant's bars
The Gazette (Colorado Springs) ^ | Tom Roeder

Posted on 05/28/2019 11:00:32 AM PDT by GrootheWanderer

During Air Force Academy’s graduation on Thursday, senior cadets will be told about the uncertain world they are entering and the battles they may face.

It may be underwhelming for 22-year-old Parker Hammond. He’s already fought a private war.

Hammond went from a strapping 275-pound offensive lineman as a freshman to a shriveled and shivering senior as he fought through chemotherapy. He battled cancer, and he battled bureaucracy to get the lieutenant’s bars he’ll pin on after he crosses the stage in Falcon Stadium on Thursday.

(Excerpt) Read more at gazette.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; US: Colorado
KEYWORDS: afa; afacadet; airforce; cancer
Surgery, chemo and still graduated on time.
1 posted on 05/28/2019 11:00:32 AM PDT by GrootheWanderer
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To: GrootheWanderer
Surgery, chemo and still graduated on time.

Good for him. My son just got his Air Force 2nd Lieutenant bars last week as well.

2 posted on 05/28/2019 11:06:34 AM PDT by Mark17 (What, exactly, was the "only evil continually," that was going on in the days of Noah?)
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To: GrootheWanderer

“Hammond went from a strapping 275-pound offensive lineman as a freshman to a shriveled and shivering senior …”

Really? They could have just said his weight loss instead of referring to him as shriveled and shivering . sheeesh.


3 posted on 05/28/2019 11:07:57 AM PDT by nuconvert ( Khomeini promised change too // Hail, Chairman O)
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To: GrootheWanderer

Two thumbs up!
And may he live well and prosper.

But I have to ask, Hammond went from a strapping 275-pound offensive lineman.
275???

I knew a guy, not quite that large, solid muscle.
They would not accept him.
He was told that no uniforms were made in his size.
He tried both the Army and Navy, I do not recall the AF?

A quick look brings up:https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/army-weight-rules.html

Guessing if you want a winning football team...


4 posted on 05/28/2019 11:13:16 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT ("The enemy has overrun us. We are blowing up everything. Vive la France!"Dien Bien Phu last message.)
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To: GrootheWanderer
Good for him. He's shown he can overcome adversity.
5 posted on 05/28/2019 11:30:41 AM PDT by JoeFromSidney (Colonel (Retired) USAF.)
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To: JoeFromSidney

Nowhere did I read a “Thank you, dear Lord”


6 posted on 05/28/2019 11:33:42 AM PDT by 353FMG
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To: 353FMG

I do not intend in any way that demean your faith-based comment, but if you thank the Lord for making the young man well, then follow it to its logical conclusion, you’d have to say the Lord also gave that young man cancer. Maybe the saying “everything happens for a reason” is right. Maybe the young man will have greater understanding and capacity to help someone else someday. Maybe that’s why.


7 posted on 05/28/2019 12:14:08 PM PDT by Avalon Memories (This Deplorable is not fooled by the Marxist-Stalinist totalitarians infesting the Dem Party.)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

Exceptions are made for football players and other athletes competing in NCAA sanctioned sports at the Service academies when it comes to weight standards. But once their Senior season is over they have a time limit to get back within those weight standards.


8 posted on 05/28/2019 12:37:26 PM PDT by sean327 (God created all men equal, then some become Marines!)
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To: sean327

So, how usefull will he be as a miltary officer? Yes, survived cancer.

His job will not be surviving cancer.


9 posted on 05/28/2019 2:10:35 PM PDT by Robert A Cook PE (The democrats' national goal: One world social-communism under one world religion: Atheistic Islam.)
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To: sean327

Thanks for the info.


10 posted on 05/28/2019 2:15:26 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT ("The enemy has overrun us. We are blowing up everything. Vive la France!"Dien Bien Phu last message.)
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To: GrootheWanderer

btt


11 posted on 05/28/2019 2:27:13 PM PDT by Jane Austen (Neo-cons are liberal Democrats who love illegal aliens and war.)
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To: JoeFromSidney

“Good for him.”

Good for the Academy and the service as well. The Spirit of Lance Sajan,’65 lives.


12 posted on 05/29/2019 2:03:36 AM PDT by Huaynero
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