Joint Base Myer-Henderson
Hall Command Sgt. Maj.
Randall Woods escorts children
participating in the 5th
annual Pinwheel Parade into
Cody Child Development
Center on the Fort Myer
portion of JBM-HH April 8.
Children and staff from Cody
Child Developm...

Children raise their hands in response to a question posed by Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Commander Col. Mike Henderson during the 5th annual Pinwheel Parade at the Cody
Child Development Center on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH April 8. Children...

Children participate in the
5th annual Pinwheel Parade
by displaying their
blue-colored pinwheels
while marching around the
Cody Child Development
Center on the Fort Myer
portion of JBM-HH April
8. Children and staff from
Cody Child Development
Cente...

Blue and silver pinwheels held by eager little (and some not-so-little) hands spun merrily in the breeze April 8 as children and staff from Cody Child Development Center and the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall community came together during a parade to recognize April as the Month of the Military Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month.

"Throughout the month of April, we'll have plenty of opportunities to celebrate all of you and all military children," JBM-HH Commander Col. Mike Henderson told the youngsters. "We have several activities planned to bring awareness of child abuse prevention."

Henderson said students at Cody will be going on scavenger hunts; will be on the lookout for ways to be nice to others and to help others be safe throughout the month.

"As parents, caregivers and community members we work hard to protect, honor and praise our children," he said.

Henderson said the pinwheels represent a promise to protect and honor all children.

Children watched wide-eyed as The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps performed a musical selection before the parade began. Due to the high winds and chilly temperatures, Cody CDC Director Sunny Smith said the parade route was slightly altered so the marchers would not be outdoors for quite as long.

"This year's parade is better than ever because we are a full house," she added. "We've got 351 kids. We really get to celebrate this year because we are full and we are celebrating every single child who gets to come here. It's their month and it's our month to keep them all safe."

Pentagram Staff Writer Julia LeDoux can be reached at jledoux@dcmilitary.com.