DVIDS – News – Sembach SAC organizes a celebration in honor of the military children of USAG Rheinland-Pfalz

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Despite the bad weather, the Sembach School Age Center, Child and Youth Services, U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, hosted a celebration of the Month of the Military Child on April 19 in Sembach Kaserne.

More than 160 people, including military families and others from the community, gathered for the event, which was moved indoors to make it comfortable for everyone and give guests a chance to truly enjoy themselves.

“This is our second year celebrating our military children and we plan to do this every year,” said Jessica Ruiz, Sembach SAC supervision program specialist. “Everyone said they had a great time. A lot of kids said, ‘It was the best day ever!’”

The event offered many engaging activities, including face painting sessions, lively games and a range of tasty food items. Miguel Mendoza, surveillance program specialist from Sembach SAC, entertained the guests with live music as he played a variety of popular songs on his guitar.

The event wasn’t just a party; it was also a moving tribute to the strength and sacrifices of military children.

“I grew up as a military brat and I know firsthand the sacrifices military children have to make so their parents can fight for our country,” Ruiz said. “They are the heart of the army. Many of them will follow in their parents’ footsteps and wear the uniform with pride.”

Ruiz said MOMC celebrations show children that their sacrifices do not go unnoticed, and that the children themselves are recognized for their role in helping keep our country safe.

“It is important to celebrate MOMC because even though children are not physically serving in the military, they go through many challenging emotions when their parents are deployed or have to relocate during PCSs (Permanent Change of Station),” said Stephanie Alvarez, administrative support assistant , Sembach SAC. “They are constantly changing schools, gaining and losing friends, and learning to adapt to a new state, or even a new country.”

Alvarez said these challenges build their social skills and allow them to appreciate diversity and cultures around the world.

“Being a military child is not always easy, but it is a unique and special journey that may not be fully appreciated or understood until adulthood,” she added. “I want to thank our military children for showing great courage and flexibility, and for being able to overcome so many challenges.”

“As a military child, you are part of a small and special community that not many people are a part of,” she said. “Wherever you go in the world, you leave the mark of a resilient and courageous military child. That is something to be proud of.”

Although they had to move the celebration indoors, the MOMC event proved to be a great success, highlighting the strong sense of community and unity among military families in Rhineland-Palatinate.

USAG Rheinland-Pfalz serves, supports and secures the entire armed forces community, enabling power projection for the European theater.