MSCoE CG and CSM Send: Recognizing the strengths and sacrifices our military children

By Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, and MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge ArzabalaMarch 28, 2024

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — In 1986, the Department of Defense designated April as the Month of the Military Child. This observance is meant to highlight the unique lives of military children, recognize their incredible resilience, and allow us to applaud military families for their daily sacrifices.

This year’s theme, “Military Children: Brave, Fearless, Resilient,” is meant to celebrate military children for their service, commitment, and sacrifice in support of the Army's mission.

Military service is a family affair, and while our service members are defending freedom at home and abroad, their families make daily sacrifices in support of our nation. Children feel their parents’ absence during long workdays, field rotations and deployments. They leave behind friends, teachers, coaches, extracurricular activities and hobbies when their families relocate across the country or globe. Adversity can be a regular part of life for our military children, but they continue to rise to overcome challenges, facing them with courage, and using those challenges as opportunities to develop into adaptive and resilient young adults.

Our Fort Leonard Wood team is proud to serve with all our military children. To celebrate their dedication to service, we will be hosting a Month of the Military Child kick-off celebration. Join us from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 1 at Daugherty Bowling Center for the signing of the Month of the Military Child proclamation and presentation by Col. Anthony Pollio, U.S. Army Fort Leonard Wood Garrison commander. There will also be raffle drawings and giveaways, bowling and concessions.

Month of the Military Child Spirit Week will be April 15 to 19. Events will include Purple Up Day on April 15, and PT in the Woods, with registration opening at 6 a.m. April 17 at Gerlach Field. Month of the Military Child Spirit Week will end with our annual MOMC Palooza, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 20 at Gerlach Field. There will be fun for the whole family, including bounce houses, music, food trucks, static displays, an obstacle course, games and more.

For more information regarding Month of the Military Child events and youth organizations, please visit the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Child and Youth Services Facebook page and the Fort Leonard Wood FMWR CYS website. We are very proud to serve with all our military children.

Victory Starts Here! — Victory Through Skill!