Soldier recognizes military children’s sacrifices

Photo By Spc. Corey Foreman | Sgt. 1st Class Scott Simmington, rear detachment operations noncommissioned officer in charge with 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division presents a certificate of appreciation to a student of Button Gwinnett Elementary School, Hinesville, Ga., April 20, 2016. The Army recognizes and appreciates the commitment, contributions and sacrifices of military children and observes the Month of the Military Child throughout April. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Corey Foreman / Released)  

HINESVILLE, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES

04.20.2016

Story by Spc. Corey Foreman 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORT STEWART, Ga. (April 20, 2016) - Sgt. 1st Class Scott Simmington, rear detachment operations noncommissioned officer in charge with 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division spoke to military children, thanking them for sacrifices they make, at Button Gwinnett Elementary School, Hinesville, Georgia, April 20.
“It's hard at this age,” said Delores Crawford, principal of Button Gwinnett Elementary School. “They don’t understand when a parent deploys where their mom or dad may be, why they can’t be with them. The absence of the parent is an immense sacrifice that our children make.”
“Constant deployments, moves and changing schools are some sacrifices the children have to make,” Simmington explained.
The Army recognizes the sacrifices children and families make, and established programs and services to assist with deployments and long missions such as the Military and Family Life Counseling Program and the Child and Youth Behavioral Program.
Support for a Soldier’s family is important during deployments and longer missions because it provides the Soldier ease of mind while conducting their mission.
“I've been gone for the past 12 years overseas in some country or another,” Simmington said. “If it wasn't for my kids and wife being able to do so good stateside, I don’t think I would have done as well while deployed.”
The Army recognizes and appreciates the commitment, contributions and sacrifices of military children.
“We designate April as the Month of the Military Child to pay a tribute to our children and their families for the sacrifices they make,” Crawford said.

• Date Taken: 04.20.2016
• Date Posted: 04.25.2016 15:34
• Story ID: 196461
• Location: HINESVILLE, GEORGIA, US