OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- From left to right retired Master Sgt. Arturo S. Jiminez, retired Master Sgt. Chuck Mulligan, Tech Sgt. James M. Lawson, maintenance analyst with the 55th Maintenance Squadron, Spc. Ashton Wallace, a masonary specialist with the Army National Guard, James M. Whitmire, 55th Force Support Squadron facility maintenance manager and president of the Bellevue chapter of the American Veterans Motorcycle Club, and Jayson Rayas pose for a photo outside the Ehrling Bergquist Clinic here May 13. Mr. Jiminez, Mr. Mulligan, Sergeant Lawson, Mr. Whitmire and Mr. Rayas all participated in a poker-run fundraiser for Specialist Wallace. The group raised more than $4K for Specialist Wallace who was recently diagnosed with cancer. U.S. Air Force photo by Charels Haymond
by Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman
55th Wing Public Affairs
He entered the world on a military base in Hawaii. He grew up traveling from base to base as his father was a member of the Air Force for more than 20 years. In 2006, he raised his right hand and swore an oath to defend America; because he wanted to continue his family tradition. He wanted to serve his country and help keep its people safe.
Spc. Ashton Wallace, a carpentry masonary specialist with the Army National Guard, discovered a painful cist on his left foot in 2007 while he was going through Advanced Individual Training in Mississippi. He was placed on a profile, given medication and over time the cist went away.
However, a year later the cist returned, and this time it was even more painful. When Specialist Wallace went to the hospital he heard something he never thought he'd hear someone say, especially at 23- years of age; "you have cancer."
