FORT KNOX, Ky. (AP) — A 16-year-old Belgian boy with cancer listened to his grandfather tell stories about United States troops liberating the country during World War II. On Tuesday, he got a chance to be one of those soldiers.

Antoine Brisbois was at Fort Knox for the first of a two-day visit that includes working alongside soldiers and training. Brisbois developed bone cancer at age 12. He was able to make the visit through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

During his first day at the central Kentucky Army post, he rode in an armored truck while dressed in full combat gear, fired blanks alongside a 3rd Brigade combat unit in training and disarmed explosives.

He said fulfilling his dream made him "extremely happy."