Photo By Staff Sgt. Bradley Cooney | 10 year-old Kennadie Fritts pets a miniature horse during an event honoring military...... read more read more
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NOBLE, Okla. - April is Month of the Military Child, which is designated to honor the sacrifices that military families, especially military children, make in support of their service member. The Oklahoma National Guard State Family Program teamed up with a local nonprofit and VFW Post to celebrate Oklahoma’s military children and give them a unique experience on Sunday.
“The State Family Program office, more specifically the Child and Youth Program, partnered with Flames to Hope in Noble, Oklahoma, to host an event, for the children of Oklahoma Air and Army National Guardsmen. The event gives the children an opportunity to spend the afternoon interacting with miniature horses and miniature goats,” said Maj. Clay Fees, State Family Program Director for the Oklahoma National Guard.
Flames to Hope is a nonprofit that provides equine-assisted therapeutic services to places like nursing homes, hospitals, schools and veterans facilities. While Flames to Hope has had a relationship with the National Guard, this is the first time for them to host a National Guard event at their location in Noble.
Oklahoma National Guard service members had the chance to bring their families to Flames to Hope in Noble to have a hands-on experience with animals while participating in several unique activities.
“It’s going to be a team building clinic,” said Kelly King, executive director of Flames to Hope. “We have five obstacles set up and some other activities along with a petting zoo, a station to dress up a pony and a little barrel race that the kids can walk the horses through.”
VFW Post #382, of El Reno, Oklahoma, provided the food and refreshments for the event. There were also free snow cones to help cool the kids, and some parents, on the unseasonably warm day.
“I like being out here because you get to see so many horses and you get to meet new people and make new friends,” said 10-year old Kennadie Fritts. “My favorite part about being out here is that it’s for military kids and there are certain kids who go through a lot so this makes them feel better about it.”
The nearly 50 children who came Sunday started as strangers to one another and quickly became friends through group activities.
“Military children are a special breed,” Fees said. “And National Guard children are even more unique. These events are good to bring kids together who all share the same experiences, where they can meet each other, network, lean on each other and build resilience between them.”
“It’s just to thank them, because the families sacrifice too,” King said. “We want to let them know that we really appreciate their sacrifice as well.”
| Date Taken: | 04.29.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 05.07.2018 15:31 |
| Story ID: | 275068 |
| Location: | NOBLE, OK, US |
| Web Views: | 132 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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