McALESTER, Okla. (April 9, 2015) -- McAlester Army Ammunition Plant isn't your traditional military installation with troops and families, but children's laughter filled the Lee V. Maxwell Complex during its commemoration of the Month of the Military Child here, April 2.
Hosted by Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, families who patronize the Child Development Center and Child, Youth and School Services on this installation in southeastern Oklahoma were treated to a night of fun and free spaghetti meal.
"We just want parents and their kids to have some fun down here," said Dan Bonebrake, chief of business operations for FMWR at MCAAP during the event attended by an estimated 150 adults and children.
For several hours, the children were able to play on two inflatable bouncy houses, a quarterback nerf-ball toss and a baseball toss. They also were able to participate in cosmic bowling for only one dollar.
This year's MMC theme, "Their Lives, Their Stories, highlights the unique lifestyles, contributions and sacrifices military children make to the nation. Throughout the month of April, U.S. Army organizations worldwide will hold a variety of events to recognize the resilience of military children.
The plant is commanded by Col. Joseph G. Dalessio, who attended the event with his two young sons. While the workforce at McAlester Army Ammunition Plant is predominantly civilian, it is also home to two Marines and several military recruiters. In addition, some civilian employees who patronize the CDC and CYSS serve in the Oklahoma National Guard or in a reserve component.
"The family fun night was a nice way to say thanks to our military children whose parents, both service members and government civilian employees, are often away protecting and preserving our Nation's interests," Dalessio said.
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McAlester Army Ammunition Plant is the Department of Defense's premier bomb- and warhead-loading facility. It is one of 14 installations of the Joint Munitions Command and one of 23 organic industrial bases under the U.S. Army Materiel Command, which include arsenals, depots and ammunition plants. MCAAP is vital to ammunition stockpile management and delivery to the Joint Warfighter for training and combat operations.
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