Month of the Military Child celebrates children of military Families

By Tim Cherry, Belvoir EagleApril 12, 2013

Department of Defense civilians and military members are encouraged to celebrate and honor the children of military Families during the Month of the Military Child in April.

MOMC honors the support provided by and sacrifices made by military children during their parents' deployments, relocation and other military related activities.

Military installations will celebrate the Month of the Military Child with activities such as parades, face painting, carnivals and other events that children enjoy, according to an article written by the DoD's Armed Forces Press Services. Information on activities will be available through base newspapers, youth centers, child development centers and Family support centers on installations throughout the military.

The activities allow servicemembers and civilians to thank children for the support they provide for servicemembers, according to Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander Col. Gregory D. Gadson.

"Our children are truly our heroes," Gadson said during Fort Belvoir's Month of the Military Child Kick-Off celebration Tuesday at the Fort Belvoir Community Center. "I don't think America really appreciates the strength that we get from our children and it's very important that we take time this month to recognize how big a role they play in our lives as heroes that allow us to perform our duties for the nation."

Military children constantly face challenges such as frequent moving, Family separations through deployments and reintegration from deployments. MOMC celebrates children for their resiliency and positive attitudes during these challenges, according to Marie Grayson-George, Child, Youth and School Services youth administrator and kick-off celebration organizer.

"We want to let them know they're appreciated," Grayson-George said.

Fort Belvoir's MOMC celebration includes parenting classes, play-time activities for children, health and fitness activities and the Child, Youth and School Services KidFest, which is a day of games, prizes and crafts at the Markham School Age Center April 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sherry Bryant, CYSS Outreach Services director and MOMC kick-off celebration coordinator, said the activities and the recognition of children's role in the military positively impacts the U.S.'s future.

"Children are the foundation of our country and our military," Bryant said. "Hopefully by celebrating them, it'll teach them to respect the country and military and one day take care of us adults as future leaders."

Bryant said another positive of this month is that it's filled with social activities that will allow children and parents to network and broaden their support systems on post.

Residents can visit the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's website or Facebook page for information on Month of the Military Child and National Child Abuse Prevention Month.