FORT SILL, Okla.--Did you know, April is the Month of the Military Child'

This special celebration is a legacy of Caspar Weinberger, former secretary of defense, established to underscore the important role children play in the armed forces community.

Fort Sill is planning many events, ranging from parades to fun festivals, to recognize and applaud parents and their children who are everyday heroes for the daily sacrifices they make in supporting America's military.

All events will stress the importance of providing children with quality services and support to help them succeed in the military lifestyle while highlighting the contributions these children make to their communities.

Events

The fun kicks off today at 9:30 a.m. with Wheel's Day on the south side of Tincher Child Development Center parking lot. At 10 a.m. a "Toddler Disco," special playgroup is at the Patriot Club from 10-11 a.m. That afternoon from 3-6 p.m. youths 16 and under are invited to try their skills on the pool table at the RecPlex.

Friday is the Friday Night Special Opening at Grierson Child Development Center and School Age Center from 7-11 p.m. The free opening is for parents to be able to drop off their children and have a little time to shop, clean house or run errands.

Families will be thrilled to know that Twin Oaks Bowling Center is having free bowling night Monday and April 26. Unlimited bowling and shoe rental at Twin Oaks from 5:30-8:30 p.m. for military families.

April 15 is a special playgroup in the park by the School Age Center, Bubbles and Balls playgroup, from 10-11 a.m.

Spider-Man will perform an interactive show at Sheridan Theatre April 17 with three shows: 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. For information on age groups, call 442-6801.

April 19 through 24 is the Scholastic Book Fair at Tincher CDC. Parents are encouraged to stop by and see the wide variety of great developmentally appropriate books available to purchase at the book fair.

The SKIESUnlimited Ballet Open House is April 21 at the RecPlex beginning at 5 p.m.

April 22 is Earth Day, youths will pick up trash and plant flowers around the Youth Center. April 22 is also the Special Playgroup: Toddler Olympics at Rinehart Fitness Center from 10-11 a.m. and a car seat safety check, also at Rinehart from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 22 events end with a pingpong tournament at the RecPlex from 3-6 p.m. for youths 16 years and under.

Nye Library will host a Puppet Show April 23 at 11 a.m. and a movie matinee, "Lady and the Tramp" is scheduled for April 24 at 1 p.m.

FMWR's sports office will offer 100 free tickets to the April 24 Red Hawks game in Oklahoma City for military families at Adventure Travel. For ticket information, call Adventure Travel at 250-4040.

April 24 is the Tincher CDC and Grierson CDC open house from 9-11 a.m. Authorized patrons are invited to stop in either center to see what is available to their children. The School Age Center open house is from 1-3 p.m. and the Youth Center open house, including a cookout, games and a professional disc jockey, is from 5-7 p.m.

The Family Child Care and playgroup fun day is April 27, 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the School Age Center.

The whole family is invited to walk in the Commanding General's Challenge community walk April 28 at Polo Field.

On April 29, children are invited to stop by Nye Library for story time with Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffery Powell from 10-11 a.m. Also on April 29, the RecPlex will have X-Box 360 and Wii games to test your skills.

April 30 is the Youth Center talent show at the Youth Center from 6-7 p.m.

Check www.sillmwr.com to find out what is happening in our community to celebrate the military child. We encourage schools, community organizations, and businesses to plan special events to honor military children. Let us all work together to provide children with the support they need to succeed as a military child!