A San Diego-based U.S. Marine took his oath of enlistment Tuesday in a special ceremony designed so his daughter could attend even though she’s hospitalized with a rare and serious disease.
Corporal Jonathan Cruz wanted to have his re-enlistment oath given at the hospital where 5-year-old Anabella is being treated.
She’s recovering from encephalitis, an auto immune disease that slowly takes away brain functions.
The little girl could not move her arms, walk or swallow when she was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago.
Now, Cruz said she’s able to move her arms and is trying her best to reconnect with her body.
At times during the ceremony, little Anabella could be heard making noises. A sweet sound for her parents who were worried she wouldn’t recover from the serious disease.
“For a father, for a man, it’s a giant relief,” Cruz said. “It means a lot because my family is my priority.”
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The Camp Pendleton-based corporal said he decided to arrange the special ceremony because he wanted his entire family – his wife and three children - to be there as re-enlisted.
“A lot of times Marines are overseas or they are deployed or they don’t have the opportunity to share this with their family,” he explained. “I want my family to be a part of it because they been through all the struggles with me.”
Cruz is stationed at Camp Pendleton with Marine Medium Tilt-rotor Squadron 364.
