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Military Children Receive Hands-On Training About Deployments
(May 20, 2010) |
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| Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point (MCN - May 13, 2010) — Military children
learned about some things their parents go through during a deployment at the
3rd annual Dependent Deployment Day hosted by Cherry Point's Marine and Family
Services, May 1.
The children participated in some simulated events that a Marine or Sailor would
go through while preparing for deployment, such as martial arts training, gear
issue and of course the welcome home. |
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| Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point-Cpl. Marin Gardner and Lance Cpl. Hannah Willis, squad leaders for a Discovery Day squad, the “Spartans”, cheer on the children as
they run the obstacle course on May 1, 2010. |
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“This event went extremely well, and it gives parents and children insight
as to what one another is feeling during deployments,” said Christine Krysa,
a Counselor with Marine and Family Services.
The children started the day with a demonstration of the Marine Corps
Martial Arts Program, and participated in a light physical training session.
“This event is a lot of fun for the children and I am having a blast
watching these kids doing the bear crawl,” said Cpl Martin Gardner, a food
service specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274.
After the predeployment training the children said good-bye to their
families, filled up three busses and were on their way to their deployment
location, the Aerial Port of Embarkation.
At the APOE the children got to meet a military working dog named China, and
received a gear demonstration from infantry combat equipment instructors.
The children watched a demonstration on the flak jacket, Kevlar helmet,
sleep system and pack that their parents would be issued for deployment.
“The working dog was a mutual favorite for my group,” said Staff Sgt.
Anthony Sharples, a squad leader with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Squadron 2. “These kids did awesome things today and their parents should be
proud of them.”
After a fun-filled time at the APOE the children loaded up the busses again
and came “home.”
The parents waited at the air station theater, with signs in hand, for the
arrival of their children to get back from their “deployment.”
The children arrived to bright colored signs and the sound of applause
erupting from their parents.
Once inside the children were called up to the stage where they received
their dog tags, and a child size sea bag full of toys.
Krysa said 117 children participated in the 2010 Discovery Day, making it
the biggest turn out to date.
“All of the kids seemed to have a great time,” said Krysa. “Both the parents
and children learned how it feels for the other during a deployment even if
it was just for an hour.” | |
Article and photo by USMC LCpl. Cory D. Polom
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Copyright 2010
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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