AFPC children honored for their sacrifices

  • Published
  • By Jon Hanson
  • Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  More than 85 children of Air Force Personnel Center employees took part in the center's inaugural "Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day" April 26 as part of Month of the Military Child.

In 1986, Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger designated April as Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize the nation's 1.8 million military children.

"The goal was to honor our own AFPC children for the sacrifices they endure," said planning committee member Capt. Erika Chute, officer in charge of the AFPC Total Force Service Center sustainment cell. "They accept many challenges as a military family during their parents' years of service."

AFPC children joined military members at the Randolph Fitness Center for the AFPC Fit Challenge. They could join their parents on a 5K run, take a spin class, run on the indoor track, or work out with their parents on other fitness center equipment or the basketball and racquetball courts, depending on their age.

Afterward, AFPC leaders welcomed the children and thanked them for their service before the rest of the day's activities.

Organizers arranged numerous activities around the base, including a highly-popular military working dog demonstration.

"My girls were very excited about participating," said Anissa Sylvester, AFPC Civilian Force Integration directorate employee. "They enjoyed the working dog demonstration -- afterward one of the security forces specialists let us take a picture with the dog.

"Today was very memorable for it to be the first AFPC 'Bring Your Child to Work Day,'" said Sylvester, who brought her daughters Sydney, 10, and Amara, 12. "I'd really like to see this event take place again!"

Parents took their children to lunch before a base operations static display and aircraft orientation.

From there the group split, those 12 and older toured the "Taj Mahal," and attended a career panel discussion with Air Force recruiters and AFPC action officers. Children 6 to 11 visited the base fire department and then toured their parents' work centers.

"It was awesome! My favorite part was the fire department because of the big fire trucks (that) shoot all the water," said 10-year-old Katelynn Chapman, whose dad, Bill works with the Air Force Personnel Operations Agency.

Chute said officials were pleased with such positive responses to this event.

"It's good to show them where you work, the things you do, and other jobs throughout the base that they've never seen before," said Staff Sgt. Tiffany Walker, AFPC Director of Staff office member, who brought her 6-year-old son Marquis. "Overall, it's a fun experience for the kids and it's something AFPC should do every year."

For more information on the Month of the Military Child go to www.defense.gov/home/features/2012/0412_militarychild/. For information on personnel issues go the Air Force personnel services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.