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Since 1986, members of the Department of Defense have designated April as Month of the Military Child. The annual observance is designed to recognize and honor the ongoing sacrifices of military children around the world.
Military installations are hosting activities and special programming throughout April to show their support for the many thousands of children who serve alongside their parents through combat deployments and frequent moves.
Air Force Master Sgt. Rachel Herrick and her family are stationed in the KMC. Herrick said she’s grateful for her children’s support during her more than 17 years of military service, and she’s proud to return the favor.
“I think it’s great, because we get to recognize the children that stand behind most of us military members and give us the strength to get through many of the tough times that we have, whether it’s long TDYs or a
deployment to a very far off location,”
Herrick said. “Those little smiles and those faces are what get us through it, and to
have a month to let them know that it’s them that is our strength, I think it’s an amazing
thing that we as a military have.”
Herrick’s daughter, Saige, 8, considers herself somewhat of a pro when it comes to military life. She easily rattles off a long list of places she’s lived or visited while serving with her mother. The list includes everywhere from Texas to Hawaii and now Germany.
“I’ve been a military child a long time, and I’ve gone through a lot of things. It’s scary sometimes, but also really fun. You get to do different things and see different things. I like Germany a lot but other places are fun, too. Not just Germany,” Saige said.
Herrick and Saige added that they also relied on close family, cards and letters, and FaceTime chats to help them endure difficult separations that can often accompany military life.
“I think we as parents just need to remember how awesome they are and what strength they give us and to say thank you to them and to never forget how cool we are to have amazing children like this that support us through everything,” Herrick said.
In honor of Month of the Military Child, the Army and Air Force will sponsor a Month of the Military Child International Children’s Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Pulaski Park on Pulaski Barracks. The opening ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. This annual event for community members will feature free food, games, music and more.
