Birthday celebration continues

By Charmain BrackettJune 24, 2009

Birthday celebration continues
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Charmain Z. Brackett

Correspondent

FORT GORDON, Ga.--(June 22, 2009) A week of activities marking the Army's 234th birthday culminated with events at Fort Gordon's Child, Youth and School Services building and field on June 19.

Songs, essays and dances were part of the birthday celebration as well as a barbecue and outdoor games.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to serve our military children," said Mary Crowder, CYSS chief.

About 150 children from preschool through high school participated in the June 19 event. A week of education preceded the fun.

"The curriculum included Army history, learning about the Army uniform, learning about the different phases of the Army hat and why we salute," Crowder said.

Such events are important for military children, said Sylvia McCoy, a CYSS program assistant, who grew up in an Army Family.

"Children get a chance to bond with other children in regular civilian life, but they come back here where someone understands what it feels like when mom or dad gets on that plane," she said.

Growing up in the military, McCoy said CYSS made a big impact on her.

"I told my CYSS coordinator one day I wanted her job," she said.

As part of the curriculum, children wrote essays about what it was like to be a military Family member. Some of them were read during the ceremony.

In addition, there was a balloon release.

After the ceremony, children played on inflatable slides and moon bounces as well as got a chance to look inside a fire engine and the fire safety house.