Hundreds of children and spouses of Soldiers and employees learned about their fathers' and mothers' Army jobs at U.S. Army Forces Command and U.S. Army Reserve Command during a Family Day Aug. 16 on Fort Bragg, N.C.
More than 450 family members attended the FORSCOM-USARC Family Day at Marshall Hall, sponsored by the two commands' Special Troops Battalion. The family orientation featured presentations about the two commands' missions and units, a tour of the Marshall Hall headquarters building, a display of military equipment, fire-safety orientations by the Fort Bragg Department of Emergency Services' Fire Department, a Military Working Dog demonstration, and an Ident-A-Kid child identification card booth. The Special Troops Battalion's Soldier and Family Readiness Group (SFRG) also served lunch.
Exhibit booths packed with coloring books, glossy brochures, bookmarks and posters offered information on topics from Ready Army emergency preparations to family-security tips for August's Anti-terrorism Awareness Month. The event highlighted the many roles of Army Families and their service to the Nation.
"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules and for bringing your families" said Gen. Michael Garrett, the commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command. "This is a great opportunity for everybody, it's an opportunity to share with our family members where we work and what we do," Garrett said. "Some of you sometimes think about what your mom and dad do at work" the general said speaking with young members of the audience. "I would tell you it's very important."
"Family members, you are part of the team … you are the Most Valuable Players in the Army Reserve Command team, said Maj. Gen. A.C. Roper, the deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Reserve. "We're motivated by our kids and our spouses, so thank you for being here and thank you for supporting your loved ones!"
Lt. Col. Kevin Stonerook, the Special Troops Battalion commander, also recognized the Fort Bragg Department of Emergency Services; the Fort Bragg Fire Department; the 16th Military Police Brigade, the 503rd Military Police Battalion and their working dogs; the U.S. Army Reserve Command's operations, security and personnel offices; Forces Command's G-34 office; the XVIII Airborne Corps Headquarters Support Company; the STB Soldier and Family Readiness Groups and those whose who volunteered to plan the Family Day.
Soldier and Family Readiness Groups (SFRG), formerly known as Family Readiness Groups (FRG), are a unit's commander's program, comprised of Soldiers, civilian employees, Family members (immediate and extended), and volunteers belonging to a unit. The family groups form a network of mutual support and assistance and assists unit commanders in meeting military and personal deployment preparedness, and enhance Soldier and Family readiness.
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