JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. – Dozens of children, armed with pinwheels and huge smiles, marched around Cody Child Development Center Apr. 1 to kick off April as Month of the Military Child.
The Pinwheel Ceremony also served as the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Before leading the precession, Col. Tasha N. Lowery, Joint Base Commander, signed a Child and Youth Awareness Proclamation and spoke about the importance of children growing up in a loving and caring environment.
“The Department of Defense is committed to promoting the well-being of children by addressing child abuse and neglect and working to prevent it,” she said. “It is up to us to root out child abuse, not only during the month of April, but every day of the year.”
This year’s Month of the Military Child theme is “Celebrating Military Children and Youth: Building Stronger Character and Relationships.”
The month-long celebration aims to honor and celebrate military children and youth for their service, commitment, and sacrifice in support of the Army’s mission.
According to LoVonda Frayer, director of the Cody CDC, the children carried the pinwheels as a “physical reminder of the childhoods we wish for all our children, one of playfulness and joy.” CDC staff and parents joined the children as they marched around the center, along with the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, who played patriotic music throughout the ceremony.
During the month, JBM-HH’s Army Community Service will sponsor several events to celebrate military children including Purple Up Day Apr. 15, Chalk the Block Apr. 21, and Crazy Hair Day Apr. 28.
Frayer added that ceremonies like this allow the entire community to reflect on the importance of quality care and positive youth development.
“This event helps to strengthen our community and appreciation for our military families and our true heroes, the children,” she said. “I want to send a special shoutout to everyone who made this day possible, including our joint base leadership, Army Community Service, and the entire CDC team.”
“Our service members would not be able to do if we weren’t 100% confident that are families are taken care of at home, at school, or by a caregiver,” Lowery added. “And that important job falls to everyone here, so thank you for what you do and will continue to do for our military children.”
For more information about Month of the Military Child, go to https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Month-of-the-Military-Child/
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