“I was wearing my Army uniform, and I remember how awestruck Xzayvier was, and how much he said he wanted to one day become a soldier. Xzayvier asked me to wait outside, while he went into his house and brought a ‘Build-a-Bear’ [stuffed animal bear] that was wearing an Army camouflage outfit, very similar to the one I was wearing at that moment.”

“That’s when he told me his life’s dream is to become a soldier, but due to his leg deformity, he’ll never be able to. Most kids say they want to become something one day, then two weeks later, they’ve decided upon some other career path, but I could tell by looking into Xzayvier’s eyes, I knew this was something he had a high level of motivation to do.”

***

Xzayvier Burchard is seven years old. He first ran into United States Army Specialist Larry Harris while the soldier was doing community work in and around his Grand Rapids, Michigan home. Shortly thereafter, his parents were explaining to Harris about his rare condition, which is called “Flexion Contracture”, something that has kept one of his knees bent since he was born.

After several surgeries and no progress, they say, the worst-case scenario regarding the condition is probably imminent: the loss of his leg altogether.

“His right leg is no longer growing because his growth plate was damaged,” his mother, Christine, told USA TODAY. “There’s a good chance his leg will need to be amputated in the spring of 2017.”

Understanding Xzayvier’s dream as well as he and his family’s plight, Harris began thinking if there was something he could do to make things a least a little better.

“I wouldn’t be a soldier if I didn’t help him.”

What Harris was able to pull off for the Michigan kid was beyond anyone’s expectations, and arose from months of planning and cooperation from state and local police, the U.S. Army Reserves and other well-known Michigan figures.

Here’s how the surprise event (Harris made sure Xzayvier knew nothing leading up to the day while keeping his parents fully in the loop) went down, via USA TODAY:

On Friday, Oct. 14, several law enforcement vehicles and Army Humvees departed from the Army Reserve Center in Walker. The string of vehicles was making the short trip to Stocking Elementary School, where Xzayvier was in his classroom.

It was about 2:30 p.m. when vehicles rolled up to the front of the school and parked. Spc. Harris, wearing his Army camouflage, hopped out of one of the Humvees and entered the school. He was quickly escorted upstairs to Xzayvier’s classroom, where he slowly opened the door.

The look on Xzayvier’s face was priceless.

“What’s going on, man,” said Spc. Harris. “Do you want to take a ride with me right now?”

Xzayvier said, “yes,” packed up his school supplies, grabbed his little walker, and left the classroom with Spc. Harris.

As the two exited from the elevator, Spc. Harris said, “I have a big surprise for you; are you ready for it?”

Xzayvier said he was ready, despite still being completely unaware of what was about to happen.

With his classmates lining the street outside, Xzayvier was presented with “a real Army convoy”. He climbed into one of the huge military combat vehicles and they proceeded through the town, passing mightily through red lights and acknowledging residents as they paid their respects to the soldiers and their newest recruit.

What the big armored trucks were leading him to, however, was something he surely had no idea was even possible. Ever.

The seven-year-old from Grand Rapids was about to realize his dream.

He was about to become a honorary U.S. Army soldier.

Inside the Army Reserve Center, in front of an official, Xzayvier held his right hand up and recited the oath of enlistment.

Once it was official, the onlookers all gave the newest soldier a standing ovation, as tears streamed down his shocked and overjoyed face.

“I love you Xzayvier, you can conquer anything, and this shows you that; never give up baby, okay?” his mother said to him moments later.

“Today, I became a soldier. It’s something that I will remember for the rest of my life,” he said.

***

Due to the outpouring, and the event itself, the American Legion got hold of the boy’s situation and reached out to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Chicago on his behalf.

Not only will Xzayvier receive a second opinion on his leg, but all expenses will be paid for by the medical facility.