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Take a moment to thank a military child

  • Published
  • By Col. Tamra Rank
  • 375th Airlift Wing vice commander
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Out on the battlefield, unsung heroes are often those who accomplish the mission quietly and selflessly without complaint. Little to no recognition is given for their efforts.

Back at home, there is another group of unsung heroes - that of military children.

Military children like their parents in uniform make great sacrifices. They endure frequent moves, learning to adjust to new schools and a new circle of friends. They also endure TDYs, remote tours, in residence professional military education and deployments, learning to miss their mom or dad for birthdays, school plays, their first ball games and graduations.

April is the Month of the Military Child. The designation was made in February 1986 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger as an important recognition of the sacrifices made by military children.

Military children are important to the defense of this nation. Their support and understanding of their parents' duties are critical to mission accomplishment. Military children lift morale and give meaning to why we serve.

Here at Scott, there are a wealth of services and programs targeted toward caring for our children. The 375th Services Squadron offers a variety of educational and fun activities through the Youth and Teen Centers, Base Library, Arts and Crafts Center, Stars and Strikes Bowling Center and Cardinal Creek Golf Course. Even the James Sports Center offers a family cardio room and indoor playground to give children a safe place to hang out while their parents exercise.

The Airman & Family Readiness Center offers additional programs to help children. From their monthly Hearts Apart socials to morale calls, A&FRC strives to lessen the impact of deployments.

Scott is also one of a few military installations with a full-time school liaison officer. Dr. Cindy Doil serves as the primary interface between the base and the local schools. She is an advocate for Joint Total Force Scott's children, making sure that schools address their unique needs.

All of these resources demonstrate the military's, and more specifically Joint Total Force Scott's, commitment to caring for our children. These services and programs highlight the importance of their contributions to mission accomplishment.

I encourage you to take a moment today to say thank you to a military child - a true unsung hero. Let them know how much you appreciate the sacrifices they make in order for their parents to carry out the duties of military service. Remind them that it is also a huge honor to be a part of our Air Force and to play a role in guaranteeing the nation's freedom.

Thanks for all you do.