From cancer to company commander

From cancer to company commander
Lance Cpl. Shawn Valosin
2nd Marine Logistics
August 22, 2013

Austin Saxton poses for a photo with Marines with Transportation and Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 02, 2013. The Marines were so touched by his story, that some of them awarded him the ribbons they earned in combat. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Devin Nichols)

Marines aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune were greeted by two special guests recently.

Although one was an easily recognizable Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter, he was not the guest of honor.

Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson was welcomed aboard Camp Lejeune not to teach Marines about mix martial arts, but for a much higher purpose.

Like Marines and cage fighters, Austin Saxton has endured beatings and come back with a smile fit for a champion.

At the age of 14, while most kids would be out playing, or possibly getting in trouble for petty things, he was diagnosed with cancer in both his pancreas and liver.He spent most of last Christmas vacation in the hospital, and almost had his 15th birthday there as well.
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