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November is Military Family Appreciation Month

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Melissa Estevez
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Il. --  November is Military Family Appreciation Month, established in 1993 by the Armed Services YMCA, and the U.S. Government formally recognizes the occasion every year.

In the 2015 presidential proclamation for Military Family Month, President Barack Obama said, "During Military Family Month, we pay tribute to and thank our military families for their service to our country, and we recognize the extraordinary ways in which they give of themselves for us all."

Each November, government, military, community and business leaders team up to recognize military families through a variety of activities.

"We want military families to know that we are here for them, we are always here for them, and in November we are just pushing to get the word out that many programs are available for them," said Jessica Barattini, Scott Airman and Family Readiness Center Community Readiness Specialist.

The AFRC hosted a Military Family Information Fair Nov. 3 featuring various base helping agencies such as American Red Cross, Family Advocacy, Key Spouses, The Exchange, Exceptional Family Member Program, Scott Spouse Club and H.E.R.O.E.S. Care.

Amy Uptergrove, 375th Air Mobility Wing Community Support Coordinator, said, "The Military Family Information Fair was a great opportunity for the Scott Integrated Delivery System team, made up of helping agencies, to come together and talk one-on-one with families about all of the great resources that are available to the Scott AFB community.

In his proclamation, Obama said spouses often have to put a pause on their careers or have to balance family and work while their loved ones are away. Children often have to learn to constantly make new friends and adjust to new schools as they move very frequently.

"This month and the months to come, let us show our enduring gratitude to military families and their loved ones in uniform for contributing to our nation's legacy as a beacon of hope and liberty," said Obama.

Military Family Month activities:

The Scott AFB Library and 5210 Healthy Military Children program will offer a 5210 HMC Zero Sugary Drink Challenge to the library kids and their families beginning Nov. 15. Children will earn a free 5210 HMC T-shirt upon completion of the challenge. The challenge will encourage children and their family members to replace sugary drinks with water.

The initial weigh-in for a health promotion program called "Maintain Campaign" is Nov. 16-20. All weigh-ins will be in the Health Promotion classroom between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30p.m. Call 256-7139 for details.

Scott AFB Library and 5210 Healthy Military Children will offer a 5210 HMC Healthy Choices Challenge beginning Nov. 19. The challenge will encourage teens to make progressively healthy choices to include trying a new vegetable, reducing screen time and enjoying dinner at the table with family and friends. Visit the Scott Library for more information or to register for the Teen Challenge. For more information on the 5210 Healthy Military Children program, please call 256-7085.

A free showing of the movie "War Room" at the Library Auditorium, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m.