Ceremony commemorates Month of Military Child

Scouts from Boy Scouts of America Troop 509 post the colors during a proclamation-signing ceremony at the Hurlburt Field Youth Center on Hurlburt Field, Fla., April 3, 2013. According to the Department of Defense’s website, April is designated as the Month of the Military Child to celebrate the unique contributions, commitment and sacrifices children make on behalf of the country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Krystal M. Garrett)

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Ceremony commemorates Month of Military Child

Children wave blue pinwheels during a proclamation-signing ceremony at the Hurlburt Field Youth Center on Hurlburt Field, Fla., as a part of the National Blue Ribbon campaign to prevent child abuse, April 3, 2013. Children at the event were given blue pinwheels as part of the National Blue Ribbon campaign to prevent child abuse. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Krystal M. Garrett)

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Ceremony commemorates Month of Military Child

Ryan Tetla, son of Col. Robert Tetla, 460th Medical Group Commander and Lori Tetla, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations, chief of Financial Services, reads the proclamations for Month of the Military Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month at the Hurlburt Field Youth Center on Hurlburt Field, Fla., April 3, 2013. According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s website, April was first declared Child Abuse Prevention Month by presidential proclamation in 1983 as a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Krystal M. Garrett)

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Ceremony commemorates Month of Military Child

U.S. Air Force Col. Douglas Dudley, commander of the 1st Mission Support Group, signs a proclamation designating April as the Month of the Military at the Hurlburt Field Youth Center on Hurlburt Field, Fla., April 3, 2013. Various child-related activities will be available to the base community throughout the month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Krystal M. Garrett)

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Ceremony commemorates Month of Military Child

Published April 9, 2013
By Senior Airman Krystal M. Garrett
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Hurlburt Field children and Airmen gathered for the proclamation-signing cremony, delegating April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Month of the Military Child at the Youth Center Gym on Hurlburt Field, Fla., April 3.

The proclamation was signed by Col. Douglas Dudley, commander of the 1st Mission Support Group, who spoke on the importance of the military child and child abuse prevention.

"The Month of the Military Child is observed to let our military children know their sacrifices are appreciated," said Dudley. "They face many challenges such as frequent moves, changing schools and separation from a parent who is deployed."

Children waved their blue pinwheels during the signing of the proclamations in recognition of the National Blue Ribbon campaign to prevent child abuse.

"I encourage parents to take their children out to the events planned for this month. " Dudley said. "This month is also used to educate military children on what it is their military parent does when deployed, and has events designated specfically to educate children."

The Commando Agencies Reaching Everyone has special events planned throughout the month of April for the Month of the Military Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month on Hurlburt Field. For more information regarding these events, contact Family Advocacy at 881-5061.