FSC ‘deploys’ Team Moody’s children

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Leticia Hopkins
  • 347th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Fifty children participated in the 347th Family Support Center Kids Deployment Line Saturday at Moody’s Deployment Processing Center. 

The event, which ran from 10 a.m. until noon, gave Moody’s children an idea of what their parents experience before deploying, said Tech. Sgt. Matt King, FSC Family Readiness NCO. 

“We’re going to show how important you are to our military families,” said Sergeant King during his opening brief to the children. “You’ll see a little bit about the different agencies here to support your mom and dad when they deploy."

Sergeant King told the children they would start off with a mobility line followed by briefings from different base agencies. 

As they entered the deployment line, the children were treated to a camo-face painting. They were given powers of attorney to take care of their pets and toys during their “deployment,” and the immunizations clinic updated their required “shots.” The technicians gave out stickers instead of real shots. 

“Actually (the deployment line) is very close (to a real line),” said Tech. Sgt. Mellony Howe, 347th Mission Support Squadron NCO in charge of separations and retirements. “We added some fun things for the kids to do, and they still went through finance and legal.” 

As they processed through the line, the children were also given Frisbees, water bottles and gift bags. 

“I’m really excited to see the kids go through the line so they can learn what their moms and dads do when they deploy overseas,” said Sergeant Howe. “I think it’s a great experience for them, so maybe they can understand (the process) just a little bit better.” 

After the deployment line, the children and their parents attended the required briefs before “deploying.” Altough they were tailored for the children, the presentations were done by the same people who brief deploying Airman. 

Finance briefed them about the extra income they would receive, Public Health prepared them any adverse health situations they might face during their deployment, and the 347th Civil Engineer Squadron Readiness flight showed them the chemical gear they would “don.” 

“I really think it brings it down to their level so they can better understand,” said Sergeant Howe. “Especially my daughter; all she really understands is daddy is overseas. She doesn’t understand what deploying is or what they do. She knows daddy is overseas flying and that’s it. So, I’m hoping this helps her.” 

Once the briefings were concluded the children went outside for hotdogs, chips and juice. They also explored an ambulance truck display and a 347th CES fire department truck. 

Denise Dagherty whose husband, an Army medic, is currently deployed to Afghanistan brought her two kids to the line. She said this was the seventh deployment her kids have been through in the last two years. 

“They can’t feel better unless they understand, and teaching and educating them is the only way to help them,” said Mrs. Dagherty. “Plus, it makes them feel important and like they are serving too.”