Keesler celebrates military children with Child Pride Day

Published April 7, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 81st Force Support Squadron hosted Child Pride Day at the youth center April 5.

Hundreds of volunteers led activities, cooked food and performed demonstrations to honor more than 1,400 military children and their families in attendance.

"We hold the event to recognize the sacrifices of military children," said Lucy Belles, 81st FSS Airmen and family services flight chief. "Their dads and moms can sometimes be away for a long time, and these children are good little troopers."

Despite the rainy weather, there was plenty of entertainment provided by various squadrons, including face-painting from the pediatric clinic, mascots from the training squadrons, and even animals from the Hattiesburg Zoo.

Moving the event indoors cancelled the traditional Child Pride Day parade, but it did not cut attendance, said Jeri Peterson, 81st FSS youth director.

"We were afraid the rain was going to deter people from enjoying the events," Peterson added. "There were still events outside, however, and the weather didn't seem to have much of an effect."

The event began with a presentation of the colors and had live music throughout the day.
Go-carts, raffles, teaching demonstrations and food provided by local restaurants kept families busy until early afternoon.

Child Pride Day has served as a morale and learning experience at Keesler for 18 years.

"We want children to be able to come out and enjoy everything the base and community has to offer," said Lt. Col. Sharon Nickelberry, 81st FSS commander. "It's the culminating event of April as the Month of the Military Family."