FORT RUCKER, Ala. (Nov. 25, 2015) -- Fort Rucker Primary School is making sure those who aren't home for the holidays aren't forgotten.
Operation Celebration has become a well-known tradition at the primary school where students get together with family members to craft handmade gifts and treats, and write cards to show their support for Soldiers who are away from their families.
With the help of Corvias Military Housing, the children of FRPS, with their families, were able to create holiday care packages Nov. 20 that contained everything from handmade ornaments, candies and even a special hot cocoa mix to be sent to Soldiers of family members stationed throughout the world, such as Iraq, Afghanistan and South Korea.
The celebration kicked off with a briefing for parents to help them understand what the event was about, as well as a special reading for the children by Mrs. Claus of the book, "Operation Celebration," which the event is based on.
"These (care packages) are a way to help the children and families, emotionally, as well as to help them build a bond with their loved ones," said Renee Hammond, FRPS guidance counselor.
Not all children have to deal with deployments, especially throughout the holidays, but the evening is a good opportunity for other children to learn about those deployments and provide the support for their classmates who might have deployed parents, she said.
Staff Sgt. Thomas Capouch, C Company, 1st Battalion, 223rd Aviation Regiment, said receiving a care package can make all the difference on a deployment.
"To receive a care package or anything from home can change the dynamic in a deployment -- it's uplifting," said Capouch, who has been deployed twice to Afghanistan. "You get that package, you open it up and you expect basic food items, but then you get candies, trinkets or toys and ornaments, and it just really brightens your day and makes it a little easier to be there and be away from the family."
To brighten the day of those Soldiers who aren't able to be home for the holidays is the main goal of Operation Celebration, but the evening also teaches a lesson in understanding and respect, and gives the children a sense of importance for what deployed Soldiers do, he said.
"I think this is a good opportunity to teach respect of what it is other people do, how they do it and when they do it," said Capouch. "This teaches them the value of when people do things for other people."
All care packages were shipped out Nov. 20 in hopes that they reach the Soldiers in time for the holidays.
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