Children of an expeditionary Air Force

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarad A. Denton
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  With April designated as national Month of the Military Child, Ellsworth pauses to honor the sacrifices children make in support of the Air Force.

Month of the Military Child has been an important part of military history since 1986 when former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger established the celebration to illustrate the important role children play in the military community.

"It's important for Ellsworth to participate in Month of the Military Child because our kids are very special and have to make a great deal of sacrifices to support our current deployment operations," said Tech. Sgt. Ann Mitchell, 28th Force Support Squadron NCO-in charge of readiness.

Ellsworth's Airman and Family Readiness Center continues its appreciation of military children beyond the month of April by offering free activities for deployed families every month. There are also special monthly dinners for families of deployed Airmen.

"The dinners are designed to educate the spouses left behind, which will in turn help the kids," Sergeant Mitchell said.

In addition to activities and dinners, the AFRC also sponsors several youth-oriented financial classes meant to teach children fiscal responsibility and sound money management.

All of the programs available to military children are designed to offer them support for their contribution to the Air Force mission.

"The children of our military families serve in their own way," said Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro, 28th Bomb Wing commander. "We cannot forget how they quietly sacrifice, and do without for the sake of the Nation."