AFA Florida Chapter Builds Fence for Terminal Veteran

The AFA Florida Chapter chose to build a fence for a medically retired veteran. “This young man’s situation came to our attention and we wanted to do anything we could to help him and his family,” explains Taylor Sparks, president elect with the Florida chapter and social media marketing manager with Mr. Fence in Panama City, Florida. “We appreciate the donated materials and supplies and the hard work from our chapter members and their families.”

Dalton Mask enlisted in the Army at age 19, fulfilling a lifetime dream of serving his country. He successfully completed Basic training in Fort Benning, Georgia and was immediately stationed overseas in Hohefels, Germany. He was two weeks away from attending Ranger selection school when he had an unexpected seizure in his bunk.

Mask spent the next few days in a local hospital, and was then transferred to Landstuhl, Germany. Almost immediately, he was told he had a brain tumor and would need to be sent back to the United States to Walter Reed Medical Facility in Bethesda, Maryland to undergo more tests and treatment.

At Walter Reed, Mask learned the brain tumor was called Oligodendroglioma, an extremely rare form of terminal brain cancer; his was stage three. He had two brain surgeries, six weeks of radiation and spent over a year on chemotherapy. Unfortunately, Mask was told he could no longer serve his country in the military. That news alone was more devastating than the diagnosis of cancer. He was medically retired at the age of 21.

Over the last few years, Mask has attended college and successfully graduated from the Police Academy. He started at the Bay County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol officer but due to the side effects of the surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy, he now works when he can in the GPS program.

He has been married to his wife, Cheyenne, for a little over a year and they have two dogs. Mable is a German Shepherd and Mazzie is a rescue Labrador mix. The dogs have been a blessing, providing Mask with companionship when he is home. But, their home did not have a fence to provide protection for the dogs. Many days, Mask does not have the energy to take them for a walk. The idea of giving up the dogs is devastating since he has already given up so much.

“I’m grateful we were able to gather the materials and supplies to build this fence for the Mask family,” Sparks says. “In nine hours, we installed 37 sections of Stockade Wood Fence, 60 feet of black vinyl coated chain link with two walk gates and one double drive gate. Thanks to 14 volunteers along with some of their children, we were able to get it installed.”

Master Halco donated the pickets and Wood Defender is scheduled to stain the fence soon.