Celebrating military children

Photo By Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Gregorio | Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni participate in a raffel at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 31, 2018. Games, food and booths were featured during the Month of the Military Child Celebration. The booths provided information to help military families cope with the stress of constant moving and deal with the absence of their military family member. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN

03.31.2018

Story by Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Gregorio 

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

Military men and women in uniform are often sent to fight for and defend their country. Most leave behind their way of life, their homes and even their family.

While military members are serving their country, their children are serving as well. The month of April recognizes that service and shows that honor, courage and commitment can also be instilled in the kin of those who make sacrifices for the red, white and blue.

To highlight the importance of military children, Marine Corps Community Services held a Month of the Military Child Celebration at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 31, 2018.

“The event is to kick off the month of the military child,” said Geraldine Ragin, a Youth and Teen Center director. “It is to bring awareness to our military youth around the world.”

Games, food and different booths were featured at the events. The booths provided information to help military families cope with the stress of moving around and deal with the absence of their military parent.

“I like events like this because you get to experience the different stations to learn about different programs for military children,” said Caidance Hemry, a volunteer at the celebration. “The hardest parts about being a military child are leaving my friends and when my dad leaves, so coming to this makes all of that a lot easier.”

The event also gave military families an opportunity to spend time together.

“Sometimes I have to be away from my family for long periods of time and that can be very challenging,” said U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Ralph Chavarria, an aircraft inter-level airframe mechanic with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12. “These events are important because they bring families together, and they give resources to spouses and family members.”

• Date Taken: 03.31.2018
• Date Posted: 04.02.2018 04:13
• Story ID: 271437
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JP