FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Abram and Bradley Sitcer constructed a bughouse and an herb garden holder in the kids workshop section of the Fort Bragg/Pope Air Force Base Armed Services YMCA Healthy Kids Day Saturday. The two brothers, 3 and 4 years old respectively, attended the annual event with their mother, Amanda Sitcer.
She took pictures and said she would send them to her husband who is serving in Haiti.
"It is actually really fun and they're having a lot of fun. It's going to be nice to send their dad pictures of this since he can't be here," Sitcer said.
The Family has lived on Fort Bragg a little more than a year, she added, and often attends post events, which gives the boys something to look forward to and appreciate.
"They're small enough that they're enjoying it. It gives them a day to get their minds off the fact that their dad's not home yet," Sitcer said.
Spc. Joey Whaley, of the 197th Special Troop Company, seemed to have a different perspective. A native of Draper, Utah, Whaley said his job often takes him away from Family, but he liked spending the day with his son, Landon, and wife, Michelle, at Healthy Kids Day.
"It's really good for them to support the Family through these activities," said Whaley regarding the ASYMCA annual event. "My son will be able to meet a lot of friends and do a lot of activities."
Three-year-old Landon had a sense of wonder as he watched bubbles float into the air and burst. As soon as one disappeared, he blew another and another and another.
For 8-year-old Nathanael Davis, fascination came at the rock-climbing tower.
"I've never been on heights. It's okay if I'm on the airplane, but not rock climbing," said Davis, who tackled the tower for the very first time.
On a scale of one to five, with five being most pleasurable, the young Davis said rock climbing rated a five, but he appeared to maintain respect for heights.
"I'm still shaking," he said moments after the descent.
Melanie Spangler is a human resources and accounting employee with ASYMCA. She and grill master, Chris Webb, a retired 3rd Special Forces staff sergeant, prepared hot dogs and nachos and cheese for event goers, as well as sold drinks and chips.
Both were impressed with the turnout of nearly 1,000 people.
Some of the activities that Families and children got to participate in were fire and safety awareness, face painting, crime prevention tips, snake and animal awareness and bead making. Families also received information about Camp Rockfish in Parkton.
"It just gets more popular every year," said Spangler.
ASYMCA Healthy Kids Day is an annual event that celebrates kids' health issues and promotes wellness of the mind, body and spirit.
According to its Web site, for more than 140 years, the ASYMCA has bettered the quality of life for military personnel and their Families.
For more information about the Fort Bragg/Pope AFB ASYMCA, contact Executive Director Lynn Grates at 436-0500 or visit their Web site at www.braggaymca.org/index.htm.
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