The Marty Lyons Foundation held its 3rd Annual “Evening of Thanks” Gala this past winter, to help grant special wishes to children between the ages of 3 to 17 who have been diagnosed with life-threatening or terminal illnesses.
A special “WISH REVEAL” to 14-year-old Wish Kid King, from Henryville, PA. In an effort to treat his disease, he received a bone marrow transplant. However, that did not go as hoped. King has had an extremely complex and extended course of treatment since he was initially diagnosed, which qualified him to be a recipient of the MLF “2nd Wish Program”. In spite of all that he has had to endure, he has grown into a remarkable boy.
He loves American history and watches documentaries on WWI and WWII. He is fascinated by battleships, aircrafts and submarines.
King has made a wish to be immersed in the WWII era by visiting the Battleship USS Iowa Museum in California with his family. Unbeknownst to him, he was granted his wish, presented military style by members of the 106th Rescue Wing Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary at the event, for all guests to share in the surprise! Additional military surprises were also presented to him to experience!
Dear Marty Lyons Foundation,
I’m writing this letter to thank you for the amazing trip to Los Angeles, California. I’m also really glad you were able to get us a room on the Queen Mary. I enjoyed staying on the RMS Queen Mary the whole time we were there. The best part was the haunted tour we did on Thursday. It was both spooky and fun!
On Monday, we visited the USS Iowa, which was exciting. I loved learning about the ship and walking through it. The highlight for me was seeing President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s room. I even picked up some souvenirs, including a piece of the ship’s original wooden deck.On Tuesday, We also went to Universal Studios Hollywood, which my brothers and I really enjoyed. We also went fishing and caught sculpin, Pacific whitefish, and redfish, which we brought home to cook!
I’m also thankful that I got to be part of the tank parade at the Reading, Pennsylvania, Air Show. All of these events that were planned, I looked forward to, and they gave me the most exciting start to a summer I’ve ever had. I’ve never experienced anything so fun and historical all at once, it truly made me happy.
Once again, thank you to the Marty Lyons Foundation for giving me such an unforgettable and exciting experience!
Sincerely,
King-Solomon Allsop
KING'S WISH EXPERIENCE
How unique is it for a 14 year-old boy to be a WWI & WWII history buff and his one wish is to experience all he can about it? King’s wish was granted at the 3rd Annual Evening of Thanks Gala at the Bourne Mansion!
Before King heads out to CA for his wish to visit the Battleship USS Iowa Museum in June, Long Island’s very own Museums stepped up and gave King some EXTRA special experiences!
Friday he went to the American Airpower Museum of Farmingdale, NY where he was able to experience a personal ride in the official parade float tank “Kalamity Jane”, a VIP flight experience in the official WWII WACO Biplane and tour of the Museum with his family.
Saturday he visited The Museum of American Armor of Old Bethpage, NY as their honored guest to be immersed in “The Armor Experience” (featured in video).
The Foundation extends our extreme gratitude to the following for their service and generosity:
Captain Tracy Wood and the Cadets of the 9th Suffolk Cadet Squadron Civil Air Patrol of Westhampton Beach, NY
George Morrish of the “Kalamity Jane” tank and The Museum of American Armor
David Wigley and The American Airpower Museum
