Celebrating the Month of the Military Child during April, the staff at W H Rhodes Elementary School in Milton recognized both military parents and children with a special event.
“This is just another way to honor and celebrate our military,” said Linda Thomas, a guidance counselor at the school. “We have families here that are from all over and they may just be here for a short period of time. This is just a way to say thank you for their support.”
On Thursday night, the school held their first ever ‘Pizza for Patriots’ event in which military families were treated to free food and entertainment. The Milton High School Jazz Band performed the National Anthem, while the school’s JROTC program presented colors. Members of Boy Scout Troop #405 performed a flag folding ceremony during the event.
In addition to recognizing each branch of the United States Military and military students with certificates, the school provided reading materials to assist military families with transitioning or deployment support. Military counselors were on hand to greet the attending families.
Thomas said there are nearly 50 families who have children attending the school.
Chris Hendrix, the school liaison officer for Naval Air Station Whiting Field, said many military families stay in the area for a limited amount of time, due NAS Whiting Field’s overall mission.
“(NAS Whiting Field) is a very transient base, because we are a training base,” Hendrix said. “On a typical cycle we get new students in and within a year they are usually going out.”
Hendrix said Whiting Field is responsible for training nearly 40 percent of all incoming helicopter pilots for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard. Another training base in Corpus Christie, Texas provides the training for the remaining percentage, he said.
Being a military child means dealing with a lot of transitioning, Hendrix said.
“The average military child will move every 2.9 years; during their K-12 education they will attend nine different schools and that’s the average,” he said.
Whether it’s dealing with transitioning or moving, Hendrix said Military Family Life Counselors are available to offer support outside of a military installation.
Tim Hutson, U. S. Navy veteran, said he is appreciative of what the school is doing. However, events like this are not necessary in order to thank service men and women in the armed forces.
“We don’t expect this,” Hutson said. “Most veterans feel the same way. I think the same (recognition) should be done for police, firefighters and teachers for that matter.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Elementary school recognizes military children, parents