Photo By Lt. Col. John Hall | "My Daddy is the greatest!" A proud family congratulates a paratrooper who has just...... read more read more
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Spouses and children of Sky Soldiers contribute mightily to the wellbeing of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. While spouses keep the household running smoothly, kids imitate their paratrooper parents by conducting parachute operations from every piece of furniture in the house.
Many of these fledgling paratroopers will be the next generation of Sky Soldiers who proudly jump from the skies in the near future. Your furniture is just serving as a placeholder for a C-130.
April of each year is the Brigade’s time to highlight the special contributions of Sky Soldier children. All month long the Army celebrates this family devotion, and honors them with many exciting events, discounts at multiple stores, free child care, and recreational activities throughout its base locations.
Why now? April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, and U.S. Army Garrison Italy (Garrison) is ready to serve.
The following is a limited list of family friendly military events through the remainder of the month*:
April 13-14: Angela Sportelli-Rehak Book Signing and Sale
April 13: We Own Fridays Keystone Event (Teens)
April 14: Play-Doh and Magformers Event
April 14: Sexual Assault Awareness Month 5K Color Run
April 17: Parent Workshop
April 17: Accessing Higher Education Workshop
April 17: Soldiers Theater – Adult and Youth Program
April 18: Family Awareness Program Wear Blue Campaign
April 18: Purple Up Day
April 19: Army Earth Day Tree Planting Ceremony
April 21: Spring Flea Market
April 24: Pre-school age Tour featuring healthy eating tips
April 25: Family Awareness Program “Wear Blue” Campaign
April 26: Magic Show with Rob Lake
April 27: Military Youth of the Year will be recognized
April 28: Month of the Military Child Weekend Finale
*Please visit the Garrison’s website or Facebook page, as well as the Vicenza Family and MWR Facebook page for specific details on times and locations.
In the same way that lifting a heavy ruck sack, assault pack, parachute, or weapon system has adequately prepared Sky Soldiers to provide seemingly unlimited piggyback rides, children benefit in multiple ways by being raised by paratrooper parents.
“They develop a deeper understanding of virtues like selfless service, honor and integrity,” contends Brigade Chaplain Maj. John McDougall.
The life of a paratrooper brings intense training and travel requirements. This is necessary to conduct the Brigade’s mission as the U.S. Army’s Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces at a moment’s notice. Successful Sky Soldiers strike a crucial balance between this required military readiness and family obligations.
The results can be very rewarding.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joshua Mathis, the Brigade’s Property Book Officer, shares “While every base has its quirks, my kids have had so many opportunities to thrive since we’ve been stationed in Italy. From the rock wall at the gym, to martial arts and track, we have a chance to do a lot around here.”
“Seeing my son graduate from high school in Italy will be incredible,” adds Mathis.
Month of the Military Child dates back to 1986 when Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger (1981-1986, under President Ronald Reagan) established a way to recognize the sacrifices of military families.
According to the Department of Defense Education Activity, children of military families will move six to nine times throughout their school career. That's an average of three times more often than civilian families (statistic from defense.gov).
“Unlike their parents, military kids didn't choose this lifestyle; it was chosen for them,” emphasizes McDougall. “As a result, they endure frequent moves and often long separations when one parent is missing.”
“They leave behind cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents to go wherever the Army sends them,” McDougall adds. “The difficulties that they face make them much more resilient than their peers.”
Children may also leave behind friends they have developed over a two to three-year tour, some of which they may never see again.
While travel may be a way of life for Sky Soldier families, the Garrison offers year-round resources designed to ensure successful transitions to and from the Vicenza area; one such entity is Army Community Resources (ACS).
“ACS helped me and my wife through our pregnancy,” offers SPC Henry Villarama of the 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion. “They provided us classes on pre-natal care, infancy, and safety items like car seats.”
“We even received guidance on feeding our baby. They also provided a newborn package that included a knit hat, diapers, and other critical items any new parents might need.” The package is offered via partnership with the American Red Cross.
While the month of April is highlighted by the Department of Defense, Sky Soldiers are encouraged to utilize the numerous family friendly resources all throughout the year. From medical needs to cultural interests and other recreational pursuits, there is likely a resource to meet the need.
With a movie theater on Caserma Ederle and other bases, those who seek entertainment can make the popcorn rain like paratroopers streaming through the sky, all while enjoying their favorite film (just be sure to clean up afterwards). They can even blow off some steam by knocking down some pins at the base bowling alley.
And those are just the entertainment options on post. Take advantage of what the local community has to offer outside the gates as well. Get some of that rich, vibrant culture and build memories that will last a lifetime.
These off-post events are available through the remainder of month*:
April 14: Neuschwanstein Castle Tour (Bavaria)
April 14: Hawk Walk (Vicenza)
April 14-15: Natural Products and Wellness Fair (Padova)
April 15: StraPalladio Non-Competitive Walk (Lonigo)
April 20-22: Flower and Plant Festival (Padova)
April 21: Skocjan Caves, Slovenia Tour
April 21: Paragliding (Ages 16+)
April 22: Family Day in Asiago
April 28: Rome Express Tour
April 28: Horseback Riding
April 29: Flower Festival (Rovigo)
*Visit the Garrison’s website and the Vicenza Outdoor Recreation Facebook page for additional details.
Your call to action? Take your kids to these events. Have fun together.
Sky Soldiers are some of the most motivated, focused individuals on earth. They give everything for the cause. Use that same energy and intensity to encourage, inspire, lift up, and love up on the children around you.
The month of April should serve as a reminder to do something special to honor and celebrate the contributions of Sky Soldier children. They follow the example set before them, so make your impression a positive one.
“It is fitting that we celebrate these ‘little warriors’ who, like their parents, have sacrificed a great deal for the sake of the nation,” adds McDougall. “And while not all military children will wear the uniform one day, the military life will leave an indelible mark on the adult they become.”
Make the Month of the Military Child a memorable one for the kids in your life.
For more information on year-round family programs and resources in military communities within Italy, go to italy.armymwr.com and Vicenza Outdoor Recreation’s Facebook page.
Find additional details about the Month of the Military Child on the Garrison’s website at www.italy.army.mil or their Facebook page.
| Date Taken: | 04.13.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.13.2018 10:58 |
| Story ID: | 272969 |
| Location: | VICENZA, IT |
| Web Views: | 1,099 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Time to Encourage the Military Child in Your Life, by MAJ Joe Legros, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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