Ellsworth Library celebrates Month of the Military Child through “Little Warriors” Story Time Program

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dylan Maher
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  In celebration of Month of the Military Child, staff from the Holbrook Library located on Ellsworth Air Base, South Dakota, held a Little Warriors Story Time reading session with families across the installation April 10, 2024.

Each Wednesday, the Holbrook Library staff invites Ellsworth families to bring their children to sit in a cozy corner and listen to a guest speaker read children’s books, followed by activities including arts and crafts, games and puzzles.

“We want to let the military child know that they have our support,” said Wanda Greene, 28th FSS Senior Library Technician. “They sacrifice a lot by having to adjust to a combination of moving from different locations and their parents being absent for extended periods of time.”

For this Story Time, the Holbrook staff invited the Dental Clinic Flight from the 28th Medical Group to read to the children with topics on oral hygiene and deployment.

“We’re grateful that we can support military children, both inside and outside the dental clinic,” said Tech. Sgt. Staci Lenear-Carver, 28th MDG dental hygienist. “The people who wear the military uniform are not just working on a mission for the military, we’re also there for them.”

Among the guest speakers who read to the children was Airman 1st Class Juone Rivera, 28th MDG dental technician, who grew up as a military child and understands the impact of programs where military children can meet and bond.

“Growing up as military child, I experienced times when my parents would leave unexpectedly for deployments and I had to deal with a mixture of feelings,” said Rivera. “Having that strong community to help me through those difficult times was not always accessible, but now that I serve and have that perspective, it’s important to guide future military children and let them know that they’re not alone.”

The Little Warrior Story Time Program continues bringing military children together and creating a safe space for them to explore and bond.

“We receive very positive feedback from parents who bring their children to these types of events.” said Greene. “The comradery that develops from the Little Warrior Storytime program provides the military child the tools to share, be kind to each other, and practice resiliency.”