An 8-year-old boy suffering from a rare genetic disorder passed away just one day after becoming an Honorary Marine, according to family members.
During the July 30th ceremony at the School of Infantry-West Parade Deck at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Wyatt Gillette was bestowed with the title of Honorary Marine. Gillette’s parents, including father Jeremiah Gillette who is a US Marine, were in attendance for the special event.
A fellow marine had started a change.org petition calling for the boy to be awarded the honorary title. Nearly 4,600 people signed the petition, just several hundred shy of its 5,000 goal.
“I truly feel that Wyatt has faced more hardship than any Marine has gone through, and for that should be given the title,” Anthony North wrote in the petition.
