By Derek Gean
Community editor
They are often forgotten, but military children also sacrifice a lot to support the nation their parents serve. Permanent Change of Station moves, new schools, and dealing with deployments — it all comes with the territory of being a “military brat.”
In celebration of military children, Fort Leonard Wood is taking part in the celebration of the Month of the Military Child, beginning Sunday. This year’s theme, developed by the Army Teen Panel, is “Military Kids: Heroes for the Future.”
Fort Leonard Wood’s Family, Morale Welfare and Recreation has numerous events scheduled to honor military children in April.
“Our military children may not wear a uniform but they serve side-by-side with their family,” said Megan O’Donoghue, FMWR marketing director.
“It is important that we take this month to identify and celebrate each and every one of them for the sacrifices they make, the support they give and the resiliency the show.”
More than 1.7 million children have at least one parent serving in the military. An estimated 900,000 children have had one or both parents deployed multiple times over the last ten years.
“Now that troop strength in combat is being drawn down, there’s a tendency to just breathe a sigh of relief and think things will all go back to normal,” said Lisa Hamlin, Child, Youth and School Services director for Installation Management Command FMWR.
However, many child development and mental health experts believe military children may need support now, more than ever. Many are now dealing with a new reality; often added to their burden is adjustment to a parent who’s returned home with severe wounds, post-traumatic stress, or other medical issues.
“In many cases, the simple fact that mom or dad is now home, and the family dynamic has changed, can have a big impact in a child’s life,” Hamlin said.
Community editor
They are often forgotten, but military children also sacrifice a lot to support the nation their parents serve. Permanent Change of Station moves, new schools, and dealing with deployments — it all comes with the territory of being a “military brat.”
In celebration of military children, Fort Leonard Wood is taking part in the celebration of the Month of the Military Child, beginning Sunday. This year’s theme, developed by the Army Teen Panel, is “Military Kids: Heroes for the Future.”
Military installations around the world take time out to honor military children during the Month of the Military Child in April. Courtesy photo
Fort Leonard Wood’s Family, Morale Welfare and Recreation has numerous events scheduled to honor military children in April.
“Our military children may not wear a uniform but they serve side-by-side with their family,” said Megan O’Donoghue, FMWR marketing director.
“It is important that we take this month to identify and celebrate each and every one of them for the sacrifices they make, the support they give and the resiliency the show.”
More than 1.7 million children have at least one parent serving in the military. An estimated 900,000 children have had one or both parents deployed multiple times over the last ten years.
“Now that troop strength in combat is being drawn down, there’s a tendency to just breathe a sigh of relief and think things will all go back to normal,” said Lisa Hamlin, Child, Youth and School Services director for Installation Management Command FMWR.
However, many child development and mental health experts believe military children may need support now, more than ever. Many are now dealing with a new reality; often added to their burden is adjustment to a parent who’s returned home with severe wounds, post-traumatic stress, or other medical issues.
“In many cases, the simple fact that mom or dad is now home, and the family dynamic has changed, can have a big impact in a child’s life,” Hamlin said.
Taking a moment to thank military kids for their service, and the sacrifices they’ve made during ten years of conflict, Hamlin said, is a simple way to remind everyone that as resilient as they’ve proven to be, our military children still need our support.
“Being a ‘Military Brat’ is a badge of honor and our youth are just as deserving of the respect and honor we give their parents in uniform, as the strength of our Military is in the strength of our Families.” O’Donoghue said.
Some of the events scheduled during the celebration, include a fun fair, an opportunity for children to do physical training with their Soldier-parents and much more.
Here is a summary of events:
Community Fun Fair
The Community Fun Fair is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Child Development Center. There will be educational activities, bike, helmet and car seat checks, bounce houses, door prizes, give-aways and free food. For more information, contact Millie Justice at 596.0200.
Mad Hatter Parade
The Mad Hatter Parade is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. Monday at the Child Development Center and School Age Services Building. This is the official kick-off for the celebration. The public is welcome to watch the parade. For more information, contact Sue Fellner-Williams at 596.0197.
PT In The Woods
PT In the Woods is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. April 11 at Gerlach Field. Children can join their parents for a 30-minute PT session.
Ben Gravlin, Youth Sports and Fitness director, is involved in putting together the PT in the Woods event for the celebration.
“We think this is a cool event because it helps kids see how much physical fitness is important, not just in their lives but in the lives of their mom and dad. We also like this event because the parents have an opportunity to do something healthy and fun with their child before everyone starts their respective days with school or work,” Gravlin said. PT in the Woods is just one of several events scheduled for this celebration.
“We would definitely want to encourage all military families to come and do some PT before they start their days,” Gravlin said. “Any military member who participates with their child will receive a ‘Get out of PT free’ card. We will also have T-shirts (while supplies last) and a healthy breakfast snack for those who attend,” he said.
This event is open to the public and all military branches. For more information, contact Gravlin at 596.0209.
Free Youth Fishing Derby
A Free Youth Fishing Derby is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 21 at the Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area. Prizes will be given for total weight and largest fish. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. No specific fish is required, but children must be at the live weigh-in.
For more information, contact LuChrisa White at 573.346.5673.
Free Movie in the Park
A Free Movie in the Park is scheduled for 8:30 p.m., April 27 at Colyer Park. The movie is “Hop.” This event is free and open to the public. Families should bring their own blanket and chairs. No pets are allowed and show will be cancelled if there is rain or high winds. Concessions will be available. For more information, call LoraLee Neubeck at 596.6913.
Youth Talent Show
The Annual Youth Talent Show is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m., April 28 at Audie Murphy’s Community Center. This event is open to the public and there is a $1 entry fee that goes to support the Pippin Youth Center.
“The purpose of the talent show is to give children and youth the opportunity to showcase all of the unique and wonderful things they can do,” said Nicky Walter, Pippin Youth Center middle school teen/assistant director. “Anything goes for this show: juggling, beat-boxing, singing, dancing, acting, gymnastics, etc.”
Any child between grades K-12 are welcome to sign up. There is space for 24 acts with no more than six participants per act.
Walter said the talent show helps raise self-esteem for those who get up on stage and complete their performance.
“The Talent Show is a safe place for the children and youth to show off their talent. With the judges being chosen from a pool of people not related to the youth center in any way, they are very fair in their rating of the performances. The youth who the judges feel shined the most get prizes for first, second and third place.”
Interested youth can sign-up at the Pippin Youth Center through April 13. For more information, contact Walter or Andrea Ogle at 596.0209.
Monthly Specials for children 16 and under
Daugherty Bowling Center – Dollar Days bowling, $1, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday (shoe rental is at the regular rate).
Piney Valley Golf Course – Free small bucket of range balls, Tuesday through Friday during April. (Limit one per day. The child must be accompanied by an adult.)
Outdoor Adventure Center - $5 off paintball rental fees and $15 off bounce house rental.
Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area – Free fishing pole rental for children.
Rec Plex – Coloring Contest. The winner receives a free day pass. The coloring pages will be given out at the Rec Plex April 14-30 with a deadline of May 5. Prizes will be given the first place winner of each age group. The age groups will be 1-6, 7-12 and 13-16.
(Editor’s note: Installation Management Command contributed to this article.)
“Being a ‘Military Brat’ is a badge of honor and our youth are just as deserving of the respect and honor we give their parents in uniform, as the strength of our Military is in the strength of our Families.” O’Donoghue said.
Some of the events scheduled during the celebration, include a fun fair, an opportunity for children to do physical training with their Soldier-parents and much more.
Here is a summary of events:
Community Fun Fair
The Community Fun Fair is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Child Development Center. There will be educational activities, bike, helmet and car seat checks, bounce houses, door prizes, give-aways and free food. For more information, contact Millie Justice at 596.0200.
Mad Hatter Parade
The Mad Hatter Parade is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. Monday at the Child Development Center and School Age Services Building. This is the official kick-off for the celebration. The public is welcome to watch the parade. For more information, contact Sue Fellner-Williams at 596.0197.
PT In The Woods
PT In the Woods is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. April 11 at Gerlach Field. Children can join their parents for a 30-minute PT session.
Ben Gravlin, Youth Sports and Fitness director, is involved in putting together the PT in the Woods event for the celebration.
“We think this is a cool event because it helps kids see how much physical fitness is important, not just in their lives but in the lives of their mom and dad. We also like this event because the parents have an opportunity to do something healthy and fun with their child before everyone starts their respective days with school or work,” Gravlin said. PT in the Woods is just one of several events scheduled for this celebration.
“We would definitely want to encourage all military families to come and do some PT before they start their days,” Gravlin said. “Any military member who participates with their child will receive a ‘Get out of PT free’ card. We will also have T-shirts (while supplies last) and a healthy breakfast snack for those who attend,” he said.
This event is open to the public and all military branches. For more information, contact Gravlin at 596.0209.
Free Youth Fishing Derby
A Free Youth Fishing Derby is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 21 at the Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area. Prizes will be given for total weight and largest fish. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. No specific fish is required, but children must be at the live weigh-in.
For more information, contact LuChrisa White at 573.346.5673.
Free Movie in the Park
A Free Movie in the Park is scheduled for 8:30 p.m., April 27 at Colyer Park. The movie is “Hop.” This event is free and open to the public. Families should bring their own blanket and chairs. No pets are allowed and show will be cancelled if there is rain or high winds. Concessions will be available. For more information, call LoraLee Neubeck at 596.6913.
Youth Talent Show
The Annual Youth Talent Show is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m., April 28 at Audie Murphy’s Community Center. This event is open to the public and there is a $1 entry fee that goes to support the Pippin Youth Center.
“The purpose of the talent show is to give children and youth the opportunity to showcase all of the unique and wonderful things they can do,” said Nicky Walter, Pippin Youth Center middle school teen/assistant director. “Anything goes for this show: juggling, beat-boxing, singing, dancing, acting, gymnastics, etc.”
Any child between grades K-12 are welcome to sign up. There is space for 24 acts with no more than six participants per act.
Walter said the talent show helps raise self-esteem for those who get up on stage and complete their performance.
“The Talent Show is a safe place for the children and youth to show off their talent. With the judges being chosen from a pool of people not related to the youth center in any way, they are very fair in their rating of the performances. The youth who the judges feel shined the most get prizes for first, second and third place.”
Interested youth can sign-up at the Pippin Youth Center through April 13. For more information, contact Walter or Andrea Ogle at 596.0209.
Monthly Specials for children 16 and under
Daugherty Bowling Center – Dollar Days bowling, $1, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday (shoe rental is at the regular rate).
Piney Valley Golf Course – Free small bucket of range balls, Tuesday through Friday during April. (Limit one per day. The child must be accompanied by an adult.)
Outdoor Adventure Center - $5 off paintball rental fees and $15 off bounce house rental.
Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area – Free fishing pole rental for children.
Rec Plex – Coloring Contest. The winner receives a free day pass. The coloring pages will be given out at the Rec Plex April 14-30 with a deadline of May 5. Prizes will be given the first place winner of each age group. The age groups will be 1-6, 7-12 and 13-16.
(Editor’s note: Installation Management Command contributed to this article.)