Celebrating military children

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rebecca Imwalle
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Military children endure routine family separation due to deployments and relocations, putting them into a unique group of children who experience a lifestyle many kids their age might not understand.

In 1986, the Department Of Defense designated April as the month of the military child in an effort to recognize and give thanks to the courage and support of these children.
Tech. Sgt. Brian Thomas, 28th Force Support Squadron Readiness NCO, said it is important to acknowledge the struggles military children go through.

"This month provides us with an opportunity to celebrate military children and what they do," Thomas said. "They go though many struggles while continuing to support the military member in their family."

Thomas explained that parents should take time to thank these children for what they do each day.

"They go through the same struggles military members go through," Thomas said. "They might be young and not know what's going on, so it's important to give them the attention to let them know why things are the way they are."

Susan Ratkovksy, 28th FSS Child Development Center director, said the CDC has celebrated awareness month throughout her 20 years in the Air Force.

"We try to celebrate the whole month," Ratkovksy said. "We have activities each day such as pajama day and dress as your favorite story book character day for the kids to enjoy."

April 15 is the 4th Annual Purple Up day, a part of the Month of the Military Child in which everyone is encouraged to wear purple which symbolizes all branches of the military and serves as a tribute to brave military families. 

"I think highlighting the sacrifices that these children make is very important," Ratkovksy said. "We focus on military children all the way through high school at the youth center because we understand their situation."

The base will celebrate the month with a kid's deployment line at the Pride Hangar, open to all military children April 18. Members from several base agencies including the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department and explosive ordnance disposal and the 28th Security Forces Squadron will be on-hand to interact with kids throughout the day.

"This event provides an opportunity for kids to see what their parents do on base while they prepare to deploy," Thomas said. "At the Pride Hangar, we will have bouncy castles and different agencies from around base available for the kids to learn about."

For more information on events during the Month of the Military Child, contact the AFRC at (605) 385-4663 or the CDC at (605) 385-2488.