Seven-Year-Old Jamir Gibbs of Marion, Illinois, "smokes" a formation of Soldiers with 1st Sgt. Beau Detrick of November Company, Recruit Sustainment Program, Illinois Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Command.
240608-A-OH563-5959.JPG Photo By: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton

Marion, Ill. - Seven-Year-Old Jamir Gibbs of Marion, Illinois, "smokes" a formation of Soldiers with 1st Sgt. Beau Detrick of November Company, Recruit Sustainment Program, Illinois Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Command. Jamir was promoted to "Honorary First Sergeant" of November Company during a ceremony on June 8 at the Illinois Army National Guard's Marion Readiness Center in honor of his courageous fight against cancer. Local and state first responders also participated in Jamir's "First Sergeant for a Day" event at the readiness center. Several months ago, 1st Sgt. Detrick, then a sergeant first class, heard from Jamir's Longfellow Elementary School teacher Cayenne Hasseker that Jamir was struggling physically and spiritually and needed encouragement. Detrick made a video where he encouraged Jamir to keep fighting and promised the next time he saw him they would promote him to first sergeant. Detrick kept that promise on June 8, the same day as 1st Sgt. (retired) Graham Young's retirement ceremony and Detrick officially took responsibility for November company.


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