The U.S. Customs Service was part of a "wish come true" for a 10-year-old boy from Augusta, Ga., with a life-threatening illness.

Daniel Moretz, with full "Presidential" motorcade and entourage, was greeted at the front door of the Ronald Reagan Building and escorted to the Situation Room for a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony. "It is my pleasure to dedicate the United States Customs Service's new situation room in honor of the men and women of the Customs Service who dedicate their skill and hard work to make America safe," Moretz stated in his address.

"The employees of the Customs Service went above and beyond to help make Daniel's wish come true," says Jared D. Cohen, Chief Operating Officer of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc., the organization's Kensington, Md., chapter that organized Moretz's wish. "It was inspiring to see this little boy who has been through so much adversity during his short lifetime having so much fun. His wish gave him something positive to think about instead of the daily battle with his illness."

In addition to his Customs experience, highlights of Moretz's "Presidency" included meeting Federal Bureau of Investigations special agents, reviewing soldiers of the U.S. Army's Third U.S. Infantry, attending a Department of Defense briefing at the Pentagon, and meeting with representatives of the Consumer Product Safety Commission to discuss toy safety. He even met with representatives of the Office of Personnel Management advocating for additional snow days on behalf of school children. Towards the end of his "Presidency," Moretz laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Photo Credit: Gerald L. Nino

"President" Moretz leaves U.S. Customs headquarters with special agents following the "dedication" of the new Customs Situation Room.

A goodie-bag, with Customs memorabilia, was presented later that day to "President Moretz" and his family members at a reception held in his honor at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel. At the end of his wish, Moretz indicated that what he liked most about his experience was "meeting all of the government employees who made him feel so special." What did he like least? "Having to wear a tie all day."

Did you know that there is a Customs connection to the largest wish-granting organization in the world? Read all about it in the September 2001 issue of U.S. Customs Today, "Caring is Sharing: The Combined Federal Campaign." The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a non-profit organization that fulfills the wishes of children fighting life-threatening illnesses. In the year 2000, the Foundation celebrated its 20th birthday and 80,000 wishes granted to children with life-threatening illnesses around the world. The Foundation tries to create a magical wish experience for the child that will last a lifetime. Last year alone, more than 10,000 kids realized their greatest dream and experienced the hope, strength, and joy each wish provides. To learn more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, please visit www.wish.org or call 800.722.9474.