KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - For years, the Department of Defense has been preaching a "purple suit" concept in which every U.S. military branch works together to reach a common goal.
That mindset is certainly being witnessed here as the U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern and the 435th Air Base Wing are collaborating to celebrate November as the Month of the Military Family.
For the first time, the USAG Kaiserslautern Army Community Service and the Ramstein Air Base Airman and Family Readiness Center are sponsoring special events - either free or organized specifically for the observation - throughout the month.
"It's the Month of the Military Family - not just Air Force or Army families, but for all military families," said Gayle Brinkley, the Ramstein Airman and Family Readiness Center flight chief. "(The two agencies working together) is a great way to bring all families together regardless of military branch."
Celebrations kicked off Nov. 7 at the Kid's Zone on Pulaski Barracks with free activities, games and contests, with each child receiving a gift.
Michelle Jones attended the event with her four-year-old daughter, Maliah.
"It's great," said Jones, as Maliah colored in a "My Mommy Fights for Freedom Coloring and Activity Book" provided at the event. "A great way to celebrate what is most important to us - our families."
"All Air Force and Army families are together all the time here in this community," said Selinda Torbert, the ACS outreach coordinator. "It just makes good sense to work together in celebrating military families."
Torbert also noted the Army Family Covenant recognizes "...The strength of our Soldiers (servicemembers) comes from the strength of their families."
Indeed, the Covenant is a pledge from Army leadership to troops and their families that they deserve a quality of life equal to their service to their country.
Month of the Military Family events, like those being held here, will be replicated in many forms at bases throughout the world, as the Armed Services Young Men's Christian Association marks the program's 13th year. Formerly, November was noted as the Month of the Military Child, which is now observed in March.
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