Great Lakes CO Signs Proclamation Supporting Military Children

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Colin Sheridan | 180407-N-TC096-002 GREAT LAKES (April 7, 2018) - Capt. James D. Hawkins, Commanding Officer, Naval Station Great Lakes, speaks to parents and children in honor of the Month of the Military Children. Month of the Military has been held every April since its creation in 1986. (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Colin Sheridan/released)  

GREAT LAKES, IL, UNITED STATES

04.07.2018

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Colin Sheridan 

NR NPASE Midwest

The signing took place at one of the events held to promote an awareness month that has been held every April since 1986 to acknowledge and honor the role military children play the armed forces community.
“Were here just to kick off the Month of the Military Child,” said Hawkins. “But we don’t just want to celebrate just one month every day is a Day of the Military Child.”
There are approximately two million children with parents serving in the military. As the commanding officer of Naval Station Great Lakes, Hawkins said he is aware of the struggles and sacrifice that military child go through and the support that comes from parents and military members.
“Being a military child is not as easy as some people might think,” said Hawkins.
“Thanks to the parents and military members they make that life style work, but for the kid sometimes you gotta move,” said Hawkins. “Sometimes you gotta leave behind things that you love and go to a new place and find new things that you’ll love.”
Keegan Mills, the community recreation program and event coordinator at Naval Station Great Lakes, is also aware of the importance of honor these children.
“The proclamation is something that the commanding officer signs acknowledging and honoring military children,” said Mills.
“It gives them a shout out, a thank you, thanks for being awesome, and honoring some of the struggles and the different hardships there are being a military child,” said Mills. “The commanding officer is going to read it off today and kick off the month of the military child saying ‘hey thanks kids for being awesome’.”
Hawkins closed the ceremony by saying, ”These children are a source of pride and honor to us all, and it is only fitting that we take the time to recognize their contributions, celebrate their spirit, and let our men and women in uniform know that while they are taking care of us, we are taking care of their children”
The signing of the proclamation took place during a Super Hero themed event held in honor of the Military Child. In celebration of the Month of the Military Child Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) has events scheduled for April including a Fun and Fit Club Splash Bash held at the base pool Sunday April 22 as well as a sensory friendly showing of the film “Trolls” held at the base movie theater April 28.

• Date Taken: 04.07.2018
• Date Posted: 04.10.2018 17:32
• Story ID: 272548
• Location: GREAT LAKES, IL, US