Team Seymour honors sacrifices of military children

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John Nieves Camacho
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Growing up in a family where one or both parents could be asked to leave, in service to their country, at a moment's notice can be hard. However, this is the predicament that military children find themselves in every day.

"Military children deal with a lot of pressures," said Jasmine Carroll, 4th Force Support Squadron youth program director. "Parents deploy, get different assignments and go overseas. Sometimes it is easy to overlook the sacrifices our youth make for their military sponsors."

In order to recognize military children, the 4th Force Support Squadron held a Military Child Celebration Block Party April 12, at the youth center, here.

"We like to honor our military children," Carroll added. "It's a great way to say thank you to the parents and their kids and let them know we appreciate what they do."

More than 800 people attended the celebration in honor of Team Seymour's youngest members.

During the event, children were able to participate in numerous activities, including an Easter egg hunt, a petting zoo and sports competitions. They were also treated to giveaways from the United Service Organizations (USO) and the live entertainment.

"This event is a chance for people to help support military youth," said Allan Pedersen, USO of North Carolina base liaison coordinator. "It's important for the children to just enjoy the activities going on and have fun. We get so much out of their mothers and fathers who are serving daily and the children are giving to help us too."

Throughout the month, the 4th FSS will also be offering more events celebrating children to coincide with the Department of Defense recognition of April as the Month of the Military Child.

Tech. Sgt. Roger Kemp, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, said events such as these help show the children of Team Seymour they are appreciated.

"It's important for the youth to understand that we are thinking of them and we do love them," said Kemp. "The military youth go through the same trials and tribulations we do. It's important for us to take time and show them they are our world."

For more information about youth center events and programs offered throughout April in celebration of Month of the Military child, call 919-722-0502, or visit facebook.com/sjyouth.