Huachuca Herpetological Association members talk about snakes and answer questions about their habitat and owning reptiles as pets with attendees at the Month of the Military Child event April 8 at Thunder Mountain Activity Centre, Fort Huachuca, Ari...

FORT HUACHUCA, Arizona -- The U.S. Army Garrison and the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation hosted a Month of the Military Child Celebration April 9 at Thunder Mountain Activity Centre here to recognize military children and their resilience through the theme Military Kids: At home across the world.

According to DOD, April is designated as Month of the Military Child underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community. Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military Families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome.

Approximately 600 children and parents attended this free event and enjoyed games, prizes and a puppet show, along with numerous special activities and a free lunch. The Military Working Dog unit demonstrated how a K-9 and its handler train.

The Huachuca Herpetological Association reptile exhibit gave attendees an opportunity to hold a variety of snakes, from larger ball pythons and boa constrictors to smaller milk snakes. Scorpions, spiders, lizards and rattlesnakes were also on display in enclosed containers.

Craft events and games were among the many activities children could enjoy.

The Fort Huachuca Fire Department and Directorate of Emergency Services gave attendees the opportunity to climb through the vehicles and ask questions.

Horseback lead-around rides and a paintball gun target practice were included in the day's activities. Popular animated characters, including Sparky the Fire Dog and the D.A.R.E. Lion received many hugs from the children and posed for several photos.

James Thomas, special events and logistics coordinator, DFMWR said "the event went really well. Volunteers from the 40th Expeditionary Signal Battalion and the 2-13th Aviation Regiment that helped with set up and tear down" were much appreciated.

Those who provided activities or informational tables included Child and Youth Services, Easter Seals Blake Foundation, Optical Center, Post Exchange, DFMWR, First Things First, D.A.R.E, Fort Huachuca Military Police, Fort Huachuca Fire Department, R.V. City, Buffalo Corral Riding Stables, Romero's Petting Zoo, Lawley and the Bowling League.

A free lunch was held for all attendees and the final event of the day was the raffle for 10 bicycles with helmets, two gift bags from Sprint and several gift certificates from Big O' Tires.