PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — It was the thrill of a lifetime for a 23-year-old man from Beaver County.

Teresa Carr sent a letter to the White House a few months ago asking President Obama to recognize her son, Jeremy, for his volunteer work with a local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter. He has Down Syndrome.

He was part of a local cleanup crew last spring.

“He asked only one thing several times during our task: ‘Mom, will President Barack Obama be proud of me for helping the soldiers?’ And he asked if I would write to you to ask if you were proud of him,” Carr read from her letter.

Carr got a call from the White House Thursday night that the President was going to recognize her son during his speech at Arlington National Cemetery.

Obama singled out Jeremy. “Well Jeremy, I want you to know, yes, I am proud of you. I could not be prouder of you and your country is proud of you.”

Teresa said when she got the call she wasn’t sure the person was telling her the truth, but after a few minutes she realized it was a legitimate call.

Jeremy, during the week, stays in a group home in Salem, Ohio. He has a job, loves the Steelers, playing pool, bowling and watching wrestling. He’s also active in Special Olympics.