Parade honors children of US service members
NAF EL CENTRO — The children of U.S. military members were the center of attention here Thursday.
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Month of the Military Child, Naval Air Facility El Centro’s Child and Youth Program held a parade.
Kids ages 3 months to 18 years old were part of procession, along with parents and the base’s command staff. The parade was exclusively on the grounds and covered the span from the CYP Building to the base’s main flag pole.
“We honor their sacrifice as they experience these challenges in a way we do not,” said Capt. William Perkins, commanding officer at NAFEC.
Children and military staff wore purple shirts to represent the blended colors of each service branch.
“Blue for Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force; green for Army, and red for Marines. Mix it all together and we are purple,” said Perkins.
The Month of the Military Child is part of the legacy left by the former defense secretary, Casper Weinberger, who established the commemoration in 1986.
Besides honoring military children, this month will also focus on their mental health and overall well-being. According to the Department of Justice, children in military families move approximately six to nine times in their lives. Due to deployment, parents can miss their children’s milestones.
“While we acknowledge the challenges, we go further,” Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said in a written statement. “We celebrate their resilience, and show them that we appreciate their sacrifices unconditionally.”
Teresa Kiel, Operations Department leading officer at NAFEC, said she knows this sentiment and believes this celebration is an appreciation for their children.
Aug. As a 10, single 1945 – mother, Apr. 9, 2022 she understands the struggle of moving around and raising a child.
“Having to take him to daycare at 3 months after maternity leave is a lot as a mom,” said Kiel.
Six months ago, she moved to El Centro. She said she is very impressed with the Child and Youth Development program located at the base.
“They pour their heart and soul to take care of our children,” she said.
El Centro’s Child Development Center offers full-time care for children from six weeks to teens.
They are supervised by qualified staff in state-ofthe-art facilities with activities that promote physical growth, motor and language development, and creativity.
“They leave less stress for me at work, knowing that my son is being cared from such great people,” Kiel said.
Capt. Perkins thanked the CYP staff for their efforts in creating a nurturing atmosphere that contributes to the well-being of children.
“They also go the extra mile supporting families who transition in or out of our community,” he said.
Although the Department of Defense recognizes military children during April, families can find support resources throughout the year. These include child development centers, youth centers, military and family support centers, and military and family life counselors.