MARION - Four-year-old Evan Tackitt-Citright spent much of his time going to the VA Medical Center in Marion with his grandmother to pass out popsicles and spend time with the veterans.

But his favorite pastime was put on hold when a three-quarter ton pickup truck hit him in early October, breaking his femur and pelvis and lacerating his spleen and liver.

Evan's grandmother, Susan Tackitt, said when the veterans found out what had happened to him, they were devastated.

"Some of the guys, when they found out he had been run over, they cried," Tackitt said.

Still in a body cast, Evan has recently made his return to the VA and is back to his favorite activities.

Tackitt said Evan's passion for helping at the hospital comes from his great grandfather, who died at the hospital more than a year ago.

The grandmother and grandson spent a lot of time at the hospital, and the two of them decided to keep coming back.

They were in the process of collecting winter hats, mittens and gloves to send to children in Afghanistan when the accident occurred. Evan was flown to St. Mary's Hospital in Evansville, Ind.

Tackitt, a member of the Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, often flew to Evansville and back to spend time with her grandson.

She said there was trouble getting him to eat, but the prospect of returning to the VA got him to eat again. Despite his injuries, she said he was excited to go back.

"He went around in his little wheelchair and passed (popsicles) out and had fun doing it, too," Tackitt said.

She said the veterans, who were worried about Evan, were just as excited to see him.

"Some of them had tears in their eyes," Tackitt said. "A lot of them had smiles. I wish I had it all on video."

Sylvia Jackson, chief of voluntary services at the hospital, said seeing someone as young as Evan want to help out always lifts the veterans' spirits.

"The majority of veterans, when they see the young population pull, it seems to make them brighten up," Jackson said.

She said Evan has become quite popular at the hospital, and the veterans and the staff look forward to his visits.

"Now the staff who don't work in the community living center know who this kid is," Jackson added.

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com

351-5804