Month of the Military Child

Child Development Center displays a banner outside the fence to show their support of the "Month of the Military Child" at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 18, 2012. The month of April is the "Month of the Military Child." During this month, numerous events are held for children to recognize the sacrifices of children in military families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hunter Brady/released)

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Aaron Nivens, student in First Presbyterian Preschool class, waits to watch an F-16 Fighting Falcon perform during a tour of the flight line and the 77th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., March 30, 2012. The month of April is the Month of the Military Child. During this month, numerous events are held for children to recognize the sacrifices of children in military families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha McCarthy/released)

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Ryan Spencer, student in First Presbyterian Preschool class, tries on a joint-helmeted, mounted-cueing system helmet during a tour of the flight line and the 77th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., March 30, 2012. The month of April is the Month of the Military Child. During this month, numerous events are held for children to recognize the sacrifices of children in military families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha McCarthy/released)

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First Presbyterian Preschool class poses for a picture in front of the 77th Fighter Squadron during a tour of the flight line and the 77th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., March 30, 2012. The month of April is the Month of the Military Child. During this month, numerous events are held for children to recognize the sacrifices of children in military families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha McCarthy/released)

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U.S. Air Force Maj. Geoffrey Nettles, 20th Fighter Wing chief of flight safety, sits with children of First Presbyterian Preschool class during a tour of the flight line and the 77th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., March 30, 2012. The month of April is the Month of the Military Child. During this month, numerous events are held for children to recognize the sacrifices of children in military families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha McCarthy/released)

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Month of the military child

Published April 25, 2012
By 1st Lt. Ann Blodzinski
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- During the month of April, Shaw AFB and military installations around the world have been celebrating the Month of the Military Child.

"It's important to take time to let military children know how proud we are of them as Americans that they are supporting mom or dad in uniform, who is making great sacrifices for this country," said Barbara Thompson, Defense Department director of military community and family policy.

Maj. Geoffrey Nettles, 77th Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations, brought his son Caden, and his preschool class from First Presbyterian Church of Sumter out for a tour of the installation and the F-16s.

When asked how a trip like this helps her class, Crystal Frasier, First Presbyterian Church lead teacher said, "There's a lot of kids that are not military and don't realize, they go home every night to mommy and daddy. Then there is some that their daddy is on a trip. [A trip like this] bridges that gap a little and makes them understand."

Of the 13 children in the visiting class, 3 had parents deployed, a good example of the military impact in just one classroom.

The first tour stop was a close up look at an F-16 in Hangar 1614, followed by putting on ear protection and watching two 6-ship flights take off right near the flight line. As each aircraft roared by the children jumped up and down screaming with enjoyment.

Relaxing at the 77th FS eating pizza after a long day of touring the parents, teachers and children discussed life in the military and how to best cope with the different lifestyle the children endure.

"My son is involved in sports on the base, that keeps him tied to the base and gets him around children that go through the same scenarios," said Misty Nivens, wife of Master Sgt. Phillip Nivens, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron, recently deployed overseas, "He can identify with another child."

At the end of the day all the children were asked what their favorite thing about the tour was. Every child yelled, "SEEING THE AIRPLANES FLY!"

Every child, that is, except Caden Nettles, wearing a wingman t-shirt, even pilot's kids have to play cool about flying jets.

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Month of the Military Child