Puppet show informs, entertains Stewart-Hunter children

By Jennifer Scales, Fort Stewart Public AffairsMarch 25, 2010

Rocky and Friends puppet show
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sergeant Rocky puppet
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Sgt. Rocky and CSM Ashmen
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Tommy, one of Rocky's Neighborhood puppets, 'tells' Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Ashmen, 3rd ID command sergeant major-rear, his feelings on the deployment of his Family at Club Stewart, March 23. Sergeant First Class Richard Fabregas 'assists' Tommy in... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT STEWART, Ga. - New stars on the horizon entertained children at Club Stewart, March 23 and at the Hunter Club, March 24. After about four months of preparation, Sergeant Rocky's Neighborhood Puppet Show and its new stars faced their premier audiences.

In puppeteer fashion, Sgt. Rocky, Rachel and Tommy joined Linda Liberty in a show presented by the Mobilization and Deployment office to discuss and share issues dealing with deployments.

Though the show was geared for kids ages 4 to 10, there were younger ones and many adults who were present for the Stewart presentation.

Linda Liberty, also known as Linda Moseley, Mobilization and Deployment manager, said that the show uses puppets because kids usually find it easier to talk to them, especially to talk about their emotions.

"The show discusses things like missing their parent, what if their parent got sick or wounded and the medical resources over there, and a bit about the country (Iraq or Afghanistan) their parent is in," said Moseley.

Networking with the young audience is exactly what occurred. From the entrance of both Linda Liberty and Sgt. Rocky, the 2-year-old bulldog owned by Traci Wheeler, the children were involved. Sergeant Rocky and Linda roamed through the audience and those who wanted to were able to touch and feel the four-legged canine. Throughout his audience visit, Sgt. Rocky remained quiet and appreciative of the affection and attention.

But that soon changed. Once he went to take his place in the puppet arena, Sgt. Rocky characterized into his puppet demeanor.

Throughout the free shows, Linda Liberty, Sgt. Rocky, and other puppet friends Rachel and Tommy, talked to the children, their parents, and others in the audience about deployment emotions, staying in contact, communicating with others left behind, helping out at home, and other topics that might arise in the mind of the child.

Moseley notes that there is a goal to the show.

"I hope they have a better understanding about how they are feeling and that it's ok to feel sad," she said. "We are hoping that they use their emotion as a venue to talk about how they are feeling and begin to feel better about themselves.

"What their parents are doing is very important and it's difficult for kids to go through several deployments," Mosley continued. "In the long run, we want them to know that America respects what their parents are doing."

The show also featured musical entertainment from the 3rd Infantry Division Band in the form of 'Rocky's Rough Riders and the New Recruits'. The audience was involved in their performance as well by participating in the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" at the end of the show, as well as marching around the ballroom at the end of the show to a continuous upbeat music.

The popcorn and music was non-stop at the end of the puppet show for the kids. Many got their faces painted in various character fashions. Not to be forgotten, the adults were offered handouts, Soldier hug-a-dolls, deployment calendars, and other items.

Sergeant Rocky's Neighborhood Puppet Show is free and open to Families who have deployed or deploying Soldiers. Moseley added that the show is mobile and will soon be doing shows at local schools that have children of deployed Soldiers.

But that soon changed. Once he went to take his place in the puppet arena, Sgt. Rocky 'transformed' into his puppet demeanor.

Throughout the free shows, Linda Liberty, Sgt. Rocky, and other puppet friends Rachel and Tommy, talked to the children, their parents, and others in the audience about deployment emotions, staying in contact, communicating with others left behind, helping out at home, and other topics that might arise in the mind of the child.

Moseley notes that there is a goal to the show.

"I hope they have a better understanding about how they are feeling and that it's ok to feel sad," she said. "We are hoping that they use their emotion as a venue to talk about how they are feeling and begin to feel better about themselves.

"What their parents are doing is very important and it's difficult for kids to go through several deployments," Mosley continued. "In the long run, we want them to know that America respects what their parents are doing."

The show also featured musical entertainment from the 3rd Infantry Division Band in the form of 'Rocky's Rough Riders and the New Recruits'. The audience was easily involved in their performance, such as participating in the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" and marching around the ballroom at the end of the show to a continuous upbeat music.

The popcorn and music was non-stop at the end of the puppet show for the kids. Many got their faces painted in various character fashions. Not to be forgotten, the adults were offered handouts, Soldier hug-a-dolls, deployment calendars, and other items.

Sergeant Rocky's Neighborhood Puppet Show is free and open to Families who have deployed or deploying Soldiers. Moseley added that the show is mobile and will soon be doing shows at local schools that have children of deployed Soldiers.