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Show JuneJL_2Q06 BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS JENNY CHONG Hilltop Times staff As the line of deployers filed out of the bus into the processing center and went through the usual procedures—briefings, immunizations and receive gear—there was one thing that made this day different. Not one among them was more than 5 feet tall. More than 580 Hill Field Elementary School students, ranging from kindergarten to the sixth grade, participated in a field trip called Kids Deployment Day here May 17. Kids Deployment Day is designed to allow children to experience the process that military members go through when deploying. The majority of students at Hill Field Elementary have one or both parents currently serving in the military. "We took them through a process similar to what their parents go through, but actually fun for them," said Tech. Sfft. Willie Little, family readiness noncommissioned officer. Students gathered at Bldg. 900, the deployment center, where military members go to before they deploy. They received a predeployment briefing from Col. Scott Chambers, 75th Air Base Wing commander, and were issued dog tags and a check list before going through the line. The check list required students to stop at a station where they received stickers. Representatives from different base organizations, like legal, medical, finance, logistics, security forces and the chaplain, were present to answer questions and explain to students and teachers what they did when real deployers went through the line. Instead of receiving briefings about common critters frequently found in the desert, children were able to see real preserved insects and reptiles, including camel spiders, scorpions and snakes. Other stops on the line included a military working dog demonstration, humvee and radio equipment display, gas mask and mobility bag presentation, and a fire department stand where Sparky the Dog greeted students. The final stop was on the flight line, where kids had the opportunity to step inside a Photos by Airman 1st Class Jenny Chong Kindergartener Adrian Ramos points In amazement to a preserved snake on display at Kids Deployment Day. His friends Chlanna Kinsey (center) and Katie Alexander (right) stand back and observe the creepy crawlers. C-130 Hercules and peek into the cockpit. In addition, 388th Fighter Wing members of the Viper West F-16 West Coast Demonstration Team were present with their F-16 Fighting Falcon to give students an up close personal look at the fighter jet. The Family Support Center first started Kids Deployment Day five years ago, making Hill the first Air Force Materiel Command base to invite local elementary school students to experience the deployment process, "It's a wonderful experience for the children, teachers and the parents to demystify some of what the parents go through before they deploy," said Ed Brisley, Family Support Center director. "If daddy or mommy comes home and says 'I have to deploy now,' the child is not as frightened and not as upset." "W took them through a process similar to what their parents go through, but actually fun for them/' — Tech Sgt Willie Little Audrl Organ, a kindergartener, receives a sticker from Staff Sgt. Ben Trevlno, a chaplain's assistant Children from Hill Field Elementary School gather around an F-16 with members of Viper West, an F-16 demonstration team, who passed out Air Force emblem here, at a mandatory station on the deployment line. stickers. Hill Enlisted Spouses Club helps children enjoy stay in lodging BY BETH YOUNG them occupied parents can focus on other things." Any parent can tell you that Each kit has various toys, a bored child is an unhappy such as stuffed animals, yochild, which usually leads to yos, books and crayons to unhappy parents. To keep keep the youngest guests kids and parents happy durof lodging occupied during ing a military move, the Hill their stay. The kits have Enlisted Spouses Club has also been tailored to childonated 25 Kid Kits to Hill dren's ages and the big kid Lodging's Mountain View kits have been designed for Inn. boys or girls. "They are for the kids. It "I'm thrilled that they gives them something to do would do this for us," said while they are in temporary Alison Reid, lodging managhousing especially during er. "The kits are a wondera PCS move when all their ful idea. Right now when we toys are packed away," said have children checking in Beth Schumacher, spouses' — whether they are coming club member. "By keeping or going — most of there Hilltop Times staff stuff is in storage. They have nothing to do but watch TV. This will give them another option and also give the parents a break on what they have to lug around while they are waiting for their household goods." The supplies for the kits came from the Hill Thrift Store who donated books, Cracker Barrel who donated crayons and through a toy drive in which boxes placed at various places around the base. Mrs. Schumacher said that Team Hill members were generous and the box located by the Base Exchange had to be emptied several times. "The toy drive was a great idea — it allowed everyone in the community to participate," Ms. Reid said. Mrs. Reid said she thinks this is a great program and that she hopes that it will make guests' visit to Hill more pleasant. Although lodging doesn't and beyond and make sure "We wanted to do some- normally have toys, she said our guests are comfortthing for the community," that they "want to go above able." Mrs. Schumacher said. "I know how rough it is to move, and just little things to do are nice. Hopefully this will make it a little easier for families when they move. I hope (the kits) are an ongoing tradition between the spouses club and the inn." Ms. Reid said that now, when guests check in with children, they will be offered the opportunity to check Photo by Beth Young out one of the kits for the dura- Alannah Nowak and Baylin Davis, children of Hill Enlisted Spouses Club members, tion of their stay. test out kid kits donated to Hill Lodging by the club. |