Superhero stops ‘bad guys,’ teaches children about deployments Published April 23, 2015 By Senior Airman Jake Eckhardt 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- School children filled the Scott Elementary School gym to talk to Captain Freedom, a military-based superhero, about deployments and why they are important April 17. The superhero explained why deployments are necessary and how the children can help while their parent or parents are away from home. "We know how hard military life can be on children, and at certain ages, they really do not understand why their mom or dad is gone for so long," said Tech. Sgt. Brandi Yager, Heroes for Heroes Assistant Coordinator. "With Captain Freedom being a super hero, he would have a better chance at relaying the message of why they are gone. They are out being a hero just like Captain Freedom. We hope this will allow kids to feel proud of what their parents do for the military" The children were encouraged to step up during their parent's deployment to help alleviate stress. After the discussion, free Captain Freedom comic books were passed out as the superhero high-fived each of the children. The event was also used to launch the beginning of the Heroes to Heroes program, which exists solely to help children understand deployments. Tech. Sgt. Trenton Seibel, Creator of Captain Freedom and the Heroes to Heroes program, said, "I have a daughter, and I remember the last time I came back from a deployment. She said to me 'I am so glad you are back in the family.' She literally thought I had left the family. Helping kids understand that their loved ones are gone, because they have to go help people is very dear to me. We also make sure to reinforce the fact that the departure is not the child's fault. And that it does not mean they are any less loved." Captain Freedom will be at Warrior Fest June 6 in St. Louis. For more information, visit www.warriorfeststl.com.