By SETH COULTER

Petty Officer 3rd Class, U.S. Navy

Electronic Attack Squadron 138, the “Yellowjackets,” along with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helped to make a young boy’s dream come true.

The boy received hands-on experience inside an EA-18G Growler as well as his own flight suit and helmet at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station during an open house and Prowler Sunset event Saturday, June 27.

The Prowler Sunset commemorated the retirement of the EA-6B Prowler.

Jonathan Lo was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia after a normal visit to a pediatrician when his family noticed bruising on his body, but the diagnosis hasn’t slowed down his love of life or jet aircraft.

“We were devastated after finding out our son had this disease, but we reached out to the Make-A-Wish Foundation to see if we could do as much for him as possible with the time we had left,” said Jonathan’s mother Jean Lo, of Bothell.

“The Foundation has helped my family every step of the way and I consider them a part of our family now.”

Jonathan ran from one place to another as he received a VIP tour of the aircraft, giving high-fives to everyone involved.

“(Jonathan) was enthusiastic about everything and seemed to love every second of being in the cockpit of the Growler,” said Lt. Cmdr. Bryan Haney, “Yellowjackets” operations officer from Lynnwood.

Johnathan and his father Don received front row seats to watch the EA-6B Prowler take its final flight before its retirement.

“This is a great thing the base did for him. When we showed up, the last thing I expected was a flight suit that was made specifically for Jonathan,” said Rhonda Chong, a Make-A-Wish volunteer from Shoreline.

“Seeing his face constantly light up throughout the day is a good reminder of why I volunteer with the foundation,” Chong said.

“What we do really matters to the children.”

Make-a-Wish is a nonprofit organization founded in 1980 that uses outside donations and volunteers to grant a wish every 41 minutes to sick children.