Wright-Patterson celebrates its ‘Little Heroes’

Children of deployed personnel recognized for sacrifice, support
Col. Patrick Miller, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, speaks to a child during the Little Heroes event held on Nov. 5 to honor children of deployed parents at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/JAIMA FOGG

Credit: (U.S. Air Force photo by Jaima F

Credit: (U.S. Air Force photo by Jaima F

Col. Patrick Miller, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, speaks to a child during the Little Heroes event held on Nov. 5 to honor children of deployed parents at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/JAIMA FOGG

The Airman & Family Readiness Center held its semiannual “Little Heroes” celebration for children of deployed service members on Nov. 5.

Thirty-eight children were each presented with a certificate of appreciation, stuffed bear and medal for their service and sacrifice in support of their deployed parent. During the ceremony, a testimonial written by the parents was read for each child, commending them for their accomplishments.

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio celebrates the children of deployed parents during its "Little Heroes" event Nov. 5. The event was held as part of the base’s Military Family Appreciation Month activities. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/JAIMA FOGG

Credit: (U.S. Air Force photo by Jaima F

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Credit: (U.S. Air Force photo by Jaima F

AFRC was charged by Col. Patrick Miller, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, with developing a local “Little Heroes” program after he’d seen its impact at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina.

“Military kids serve and sacrifice just as much as our service members. Today, we put the focus on them, recognizing their service,” Miller said.

“I’m thrilled to see the community come together to celebrate our military kids. Having gone through multiple deployments with our two boys, Adam and Justin, I’ve seen firsthand the difficulties kids face during deployments. So wherever you are, please give your ‘Little Hero’ a big hug and thanks from me.”

Wright-Patt’s “Little Heroes” program is not just for Air Force families; any child of a deployed military member or civilian is eligible to participate. Parents should be currently or recently deployed.

Children are nominated for the program by their parents.

“Little Heroes is an important event celebrating the sacrifices that families go through during a deployment, and specifically the children of those service members,” said Master Sgt. Joseph Gillispie, NCO in charge of readiness for AFRC. “They go through a lot. It goes to show how appreciative parents are of their children and how much what the kids do means to them.”

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s "Little Heroes" event on Nov. 5 was part of the base’s Military Family Appreciation Month activities. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/JAIMA FOGG

Credit: (U.S. Air Force photo by Jaima F

icon to expand image

Credit: (U.S. Air Force photo by Jaima F

AFRC hosts a “Little Heroes” celebration twice a year, in conjunction with Month of the Military Child in April and Military Family Appreciation Month in November.

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Airman & Family Readiness Flight is part of the 88th Force Support Squadron and supports individuals, families, and leadership with programs and services to strengthen communities, encourage self-sufficiency, enhance mission readiness and ease adaptation for the Air Force way of life. Services are provided to military members of all branches, Defense Department employees and their families.

AFRC offers many resources to personnel and families covering pre-deployment, sustainment and post-deployment. For more information, visit www.wpafb.af.mil/afrf or www.facebook.com/Airmanandfamilyreadinesscenter.

The Airman & Family Readiness Center hosts a “Little Heroes” celebration twice a year, in conjunction with Month of the Military Child in April and Military Family Appreciation Month in November. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/JAIMA FOGG

Credit: (U.S. Air Force photo by Jaima F

icon to expand image

Credit: (U.S. Air Force photo by Jaima F

During the "Little Heroes" event, 38 children were each presented with a certificate of appreciation, stuffed bear and medal for their service and sacrifice in support of their deployed parent. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/JAIMA FOGG

Credit: (U.S. Air Force photo by Jaima F

icon to expand image

Credit: (U.S. Air Force photo by Jaima F

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