Living the dream: Aaran McCann followed in the footsteps of his older brothers and cousins to join the Army.By Jade Lawton
PAKENHAM man Aaran McCann has died, just months after fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a soldier.
Aaran, 19, was killed on Monday when a motorcycle he was riding collided with a parked car at the Enoggera army barracks, six kilometres north-west of Brisbane.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His family described him as a proud member of the 2/14th Light Horse Regiment.
“Although Azz was small in stature he had a huge heart and was always full of life.
“He was the second smallest person in his regiment,” Aaran’s uncle, Wayne Stapleton said.
Serving the country was a family tradition, with Aaran’s older brothers Nathan and Lochlan serving in the Army and his cousins Christian McCann and Brendan Palmer in the RAAF and Navy.
“Aaran shared his birthday with grandad Reg and would share a ginger beer with him on the day, although I think now he would prefer a real beer,” Mr Stapleton said.
“He enjoyed racing his mountain bike, and had achieved a prestigious student of merit award for his Australian Service Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) crewman course.”
Aaran’s friends Daniel Robson, Cale Burke, and Allan McLean said Aaran was a great friend, a thrillseeker with an infectious smile who was always the life of the party.
“You could be having a bad day and just being around Aaran would cheer you up.
“He was so loud for such a small person. He used to super-size everything; he was always bragging about how he drove an armoured vehicle in the Army and how it was so big and powerful compared to what anyone else in the ranks drove.”
They said Aaran was interested in cars, motorbikes and finding out how things worked.
He had recently bought a restored Holden Gemini, which he planned to modify with a bigger engine.
Aaran graduated from Pakenham Secondary College in 2007.
Prior to joining the Army, Aaran worked as a casual at Pakenham’s McDonald’s restaurant.
Store manager Di Elverd said news of Aaran’s death had hit the store hard.
“We are devastated. He was an excellent worker and everyone here misses him.
“Even after he left, he was still part of the place; he was always popping in to say hello,” she said.
Aaron leaves behind his parents, Brad and Janene, older brothers Nathan and Lochlan, and younger sister Rebecca.
The family will hold a memorial service in Queensland tomorrow (Friday).
