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© 2013 KentuckyGuard
Story by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Amelia Forsyth, daughter of Catherine Forsyth, 1204th Aviation Support Battalion, follows good safety protocol, buckling up in the seat of a tactical vehicle during the 2014 Military Child Appreciation Day held at the Healing Fields in Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Photo by Alli Burton, Community Outreach and Marketing Coordinator Kentucky National Guard)
LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. — Nearly 4oo military children and parents were treated to an afternoon of fun and excitement at the annual Military Child Appreciation Day held at the Healing Fields in Lawrenceburg, Ky on Saturday April 26.
Olivia Vance, daughter of Staff Sgt. Roger Vance, gets her pick of the popcorn from Spc. Felicia Harris, Kentucky National Guard Family Support Programs. (Photo by Alli Burton, Community Outreach and Marketing Coordinator Kentucky National Guard)
Under the watchful eye of more than 80 staff and community volunteers, participants were treated to a wide range of fun activities to include face painting, making wax hands, gardening, pony rides and dressing up for family photos. Local vendors donated food and snacks.
Click here for more photos of this event.
According to Cindy Culver, Youth Coordinator for Kentucky National Guard Family Programs, “We sponsor this event every year during to Month of the Military Child to honor military kids for their sacrifices that they make on a daily basis.
“This year’s event really showed the love that everyone shares for our military kids,” said Cindy Culver, an organizer for the event. “The highlight of the event for me was when Jolean O’Connell sang on stage like a superstar.”
Kylie Anders is the granddaughter of John Noe, who retired from the 149th Maneuver Enhanced Brigade. (Photo by Cindy Culver, Kentucky National Guard Youth Coordinator)
The daughter of Anthony Yarborough, Jolene is sight impaired. But that didn’t stop her performance, which captured the attention of the audience.
“Everyone there had cold chills,” she said. “The resilience shown by these kids is something we can all learn from.”
Story and photos by 1st Lt. Mark Slaughter, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Conner and Savannah Morris check out a Kentucky National Guard Humvee as part of the Military Child Appreciation Day activities, April 28, 2012 in Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Photo by 1st Lt. Mark Slaughter)
View more photos from the event by clicking this link
LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. – The Kentucky National Guard sponsored a Military Child Appreciation Day for all dependents from all branches of the military on April 28 at the American Legion Post 24 in Lawrenceburg, Ky. More than 200 children of active duty, National Guard and reserve troops attended the free event, which included art and crafts activities, puppet shows, bean bag toss, archery, face painting, food and drinks.
Caiden, son of Staff Sgt. Aaron Halvorson stands in front of a Kentucky National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter shortly after it landed as part of the Military Child Appreciation Day activities, April 28, 2012 in Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Photo by 1st Lt. Mark Slaughter)
The day began with a Kentucky National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter landing at the Healing Field in Lawrenceburg, Ky. Children watched in amazement as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathon Tidei and his crew touched down on a beautiful Saturday morning.
After preparing the aircraft, the crew gave all the kids an opportunity to ask questions, check out the cockpit controls, and have pictures made in the helicopter.
“I want to be a pilot one day,” announced David Sommerfield, son of Lt. Col. Paul Sommerfield from the Army Reserve 95th Training Division, as he sat in the pilot seat and smiled for the camera.
Moving into the event, children registered then picked out a backpack donated by Backpack Angel, a Louisville-based service organization.
David Sommerfield, son of Lt. Col. Paul Sommerfield of the Army Reserves 95th Training Division gets a feel for the controls of a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter shortly after it landed as part of the Military Child Appreciation Day activities, held on April 28, 2012 in Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Photo by 1st Lt. Mark Slaughter)
Angie Morris, wife of Staff Sgt. Christopher Morris, was ‘blown away’ by the offerings at the event.
“I have a four and a six year old, and was thinking that we would only be there for about 45 minutes,” she said. “I was so impressed and we all had a lot of fun. It was well organized and all of the crafts and activities were great for all ages. We ended up staying for more than three hours!”
After choosing their favorite color backpack Conner and Savannah Morris stopped to have their picture in front of a Kentucky Nation Guard Humvee, before picking up some popcorn donated by the Boy Scouts.
The souvenir of the day was the wax hand art project.
“That was my favorite,” said Morris. “I now have a keepsake to remind me of how tiny their hands are.”
Children enjoyed all kinds of activities including an opportunity to practice their archery skills. Scott Callahan, member of the Guard Teen Panel, insured the kids were safe and provided some useful coaching tips.
Jonathan Olmsted, son of Sgt. 1st Class Branden Olmsted from the 2nd Battalion 138th Field Artillery, receives an archery lesson from Pfc. Scott Callahan, member of the Guard Teen Panel at the Military Child Appreciation Day held on April 28, 2012 in Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Photo by 1st Lt. Mark Slaughter)
The kids had a great time creating sand art, coloring piggy banks, and visiting the face-painting booth.
“They had so much fun and were the envy of all the other children at the ballpark as they proudly maintained and displayed their face paintings during our afternoon games,” said Col. Brian Wertzler.
The opinion about the day could be summed up by Lt. Col. William Ewing who said, “Both of my six year old daughters thoroughly enjoyed the day and have already been asking when can we do it again?”
While the Military Child Appreciation Day was the capstone for the Month of the Military Child, more events are planned throughout the summer. Make sure you don’t miss a single opportunity and stay informed by following us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/KentuckyGuard.
 Donna Campbell and Hayley Lay show off their face paint and enjoy some popcorn while standing in line for pizza and other treats at the Military Child Appreciation Day held on April 28, 2012 in Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Photo by 1st Lt. Mark Slaughter) |
 Sgt. Nat Guard getting a “high five” at the Military Child Appreciation Day, held on April 28, 2012 in Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Photo by 1st. Lt. Mark Slaughter) |
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Story and photos by Spc. Michelle Waters, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Bikers from across the Commonwealth attended the Kentucky National Guard Memorial "Ride to Remember" which ended with a huge celebration at the Healing Field in Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Photo by Spc. Michelle Waters, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Click here for more photos
LAWRENCEBURG, KY. — They started their journey from 17 different communities across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, riding on iron horses in the early morning hours over hundreds of miles of rough roads; many were friends, some were strangers, but they all had a common bond — to show their support for fallen Soldiers and Airmen that they didn’t even know.
More than 500 motorcyclists converged on Lawrenceburg, Ky. on August 13 in a “Ride to Remember” and raise money for the construction of the proposed Kentucky National Guard Memorial.
“I came here today to pay tribute to those that have gone before us and to show my support to the troops still serving,” said Stephen L. McDonald, a retired first sergeant and avid motorcycle rider.
“This is the right thing to do because Kentucky does not have a memorial to honor our own,” said Sgt. 1st Class Daren Bowen, Kentucky National Guard recruiter and vice president of Rolling Thunder Chapter 13 based in Bowling Green. “We would have rode across Kentucky to help get one.”
Kentucky Guardsman Sgt. 1st Class Daren Bowen, Vice President of the Rolling Thunder Chapter 13, studies the artwork on a bike during the Kentucky National Guard "Ride to Remember" in Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Photo by Spc. Michelle Waters, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
The memorial, which will be located at the entrance of the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, is a tribute to the Soldiers that lost their lives while serving the Commonwealth of Kentucky and overseas.
“Time and time again, Kentucky Guardsmen have answered the call of duty in time of war, civil unrest and natural disaster,” said John Trowbridge, Kentucky National Guard command historian and chairman of the memorial fund. “Since March of 1912, many Soldiers and Airmen have made the ultimate sacrifice. We are researching records to compile a complete and accurate list of the actual casualty during this time period.
The memorial will cost an estimated $700,000 to construct. Roughly $28,000 has been raised from the memorial bike ride alone from donations from the bikers and local contributors.
“This has been a great turnout. It has matched our wildest expectations,” said Jason LeMay, secretary for the memorial fund.
Bikers arrive at the Healing Field in Lawrenceburg, Ky. in celebration of the Kentucky National Guard Memorial "Ride to Remember." (Photo by Spc. Michelle Waters, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
“We had live music, food, raffles and booths set up for display,” said Joe Wilkins, a retired National Guard warrant officer and a committee member for the memorial fund. “We wanted to make sure everyone had a good time after traveling such great distances.”
If you feel left out, don’t despair. There’s talk about doing another ride next year.
Meanwhile, if you’d like to make a donation, make your check payable to: Kentucky National Guard Memorial Fund, Inc., and send to PO Box 5466 Frankfort, KY 40602-5466.
You can also visit www.kyngmemorial.com for more information.
