Month of the Military Child

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Riley Johnson
  • 460th Space Wing Public Affairs
To show their appreciation for military children of the men and women serving in the U.S. Military, the Department of Defense dedicated April as the Month of the Military Child. Since 1986, installations across the world have honored this tradition.

"It is important to recognize military children because they have to pick up and move every few years. The military has to build their family on base," said Tech Sgt. Matthew Sullivan, father of Logan who attends the Buckley Child Development Centers.

Col. Deirdre Mahon, 460th Mission Support Group commander, officially opened Team Buckley's Month of the Military Child at the Buckley CDCs, March 30. The opening ceremonies included of singing, refreshments and a parade.

"This is their job," said Cheryl Mee, chief of Buckley Air Force Base CDC. "While parents are at work, the children are here."

Buckley CDCs currently have about 350 children. Nearly 100 percent of their children participated in the Spirit Week activities. This week was set aside for fun activities such as wacky hats or hair day, cartoon day and military apparel day.

"I was able to join in the festivities and learn more about the activities offered to the children," Sullivan said.

According to Mee activities were held in the mornings and afternoons throughout the month and many of the activities were designed with the intent of family involvement.

The activities offered to parents and children included Breakfast with your Child, Family Art Day, and to end the festivities; the Imagination Celebration. This event was for children between the ages of 2 to 12. The Imagination Celebration offered arts and crafts, face painters and bouncy castles.

"The command and the whole base have been involved, it's nice to have the support" Mee said.