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TOP PRIORITY

--Continued from page 7, Military Child when we get home, their face paint will his sons was important to him, because
FORT CAMPBELL still be there and it’s still fun for them,” he wants them to know how much he
Fort Campbell MWR hosted a big she said. “They also enjoy the giveaways loves them, even though he cannot be
event at Fryar Stadium on Saturday, April … the candy and toys and everything.” around all of the time.
28. Event-goers were welcomed on the She said she herself appreciated agen- “I don’t want my children to feel left
field by dozens of games, such as bean cies such as Child and Youth Services out. My kids are going to move around
bag toss, corn hole and Connect 4. Each and Army Community Services attending a lot, but it’s important for them to un-
game-winner earned a prize, including the event. Events like these offer op- derstand they are never alone. There’s
Legos and teddy bears donated by Op- portunities to connect with other local always going to be someone there for
eration Homefront. military families. them, no matter what,” Edwards said.
“At the event we were celebrating the “It is great to meet other Army spous- “And that’s why we are celebrating them
military child,” said Fort Campbell MWR es who do the same thing you do on a today especially.”
Marketing Director Melissa Schaffner, daily basis. It’s so easy to meet those About 2 million military children
“so it was great to be able to send them women and their families at events like have experienced a parental deployment
home with toys.” this,” she said. “There also is a lot of since Sept. 11, 2001, according to the
Five inflatable bounce houses lined valuable information that is handed out Pentagon. The impact of deployment on
the track at the stadium. Children took at events like this. There are all kinds of children was reported as the No. 5 top
turns playing rounds of laser tag and things that happen on post, especially issue determined by the 2018 Blue Star
rolling around in bumper balls. for children.” Families Survey.
Army wife Stephanie Raines said Raines said military children face Schaffner said MWR was pleased
the event is a special treat for her chil- challenges that civilians may not un- with the outcome of the event and grate-
dren, boys 4 and 3, and an 8-month-old derstand. “These kids sacrifice so much ful to the families for coming out to
daughter. … time with their dad, time with their enjoy the festivities.
“We did this last year. … the kids family. … Events like this are a little “Every time we do a great event and
always have so much fun. We love to reward for everything they go through. the stars align and we get a great turn
come here and enjoy the inflatables and They’ve earned it, and we just want to out, we always start thinking ‘What are
everything. We love being outdoors and thank them for their service.” we going to do next time?’ because we
just having fun together as a family. Specialist Anthony Edwards, B Com- always want to be raising the bar to try
There’s something for all of the kids to pany, 526th Brigade Support Battalion, to meet and exceed the standards we set
enjoy,” Raines said. 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Air- each time,” she said.
She and her family came early, joining borne Division, made it a special father- Photos and report from Chièvres AB by Christophe
the face-painting line as soon as pos- son day with his two boys, aged 5 and 8. Morel, USAG Benelux Public Affairs.
sible, because it is something her sons They began their day at the event with Photos and report from Fort Campbell by Mari-
love. “They enjoy the face painting a a laser tag battle. Alice Jasper, Fort Campbell Courier.
lot because that is a lasting thing. Even Edwards said spending the day with Report from JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam by Reid
Tokeshi, JBPHH MWR; Photos by Fleet and Family
Readiness Marketing.

FORT CAMPBELL

Specialist Matthew Infante, 3rd Battalion, 320th
Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Divi-
sion Artillery Brigade, 101st Airborne Division,
watches as his daughter, Penelope, 3, throws
a bean bag sack during a game of corn hole
at the Fort Campbell Morale, Welfare and
Recreation Month of the Military Child event.
Children played corn hole, board games and
other carnival games to earn prizes during
the event.

Jessica Belangia, Army spouse,
pushes her son, Matticus Guzman,
5, while he is in a bumper ball to
help him gain momentum and roll
David Reed Jr., 2, smiles as he shoots around Saturday during the Fort
down an inflatable slide at the Fort Campbell Morale, Welfare and Rec-
Campbell Morale, Welfare and Rec- reation Month of the Military Child
reation Month of the Military Child event. Belangia said Matticus and
event at Fryar Stadium. Children had his brother, Matthew Guzman, 8,
several different bounce houses to enjoyed the bumper balls the most.
play in during the event. (U.S. Army
photos by Mari-Alice Jasper)

JUNE 2018 | MILITARY CLUB & HOSPITALITY 21