Marine Base celebrates Month of the Military Child with parade

ALBANY — April has been proclaimed the month of the military child, a time to recognize and appreciate the role of military children in the lives of those who serve. Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany celebrated the month with a proclamation and parade on Friday.

The event began with a proclamation reading from Col. James C. Carroll III, the commanding officer of MCLB-Albany.

“Thousands of Americans have demonstrated courage and commitment to freedom by serving in the armed forces of the United States of America in active duty posts throughout the world, often leaving families and children behind,” Carroll said. “Children of the armed forces serve as their parents serve, and provide unconditional support for our troops. Whereas, these children are a source of pride for all, it is only fitting that we take time to honor their contribution.”

Carroll ended the proclamation by saying, “Celebrating our military children is everyone’s responsibility.”

Groups of parents and children walked around the base to the sounds of music and cheers. Some people dressed their kids in superhero costumes as a reflection of the responsibilities that come with being a military child. Everyone gathered in a field to watch Lamar Reese Magnet School and Worth County cheerleaders perform.

Also taking part in the festivities were Lamar Reese’s Tinikler team, a group of students that performs hand-feet coordination routines through ropes and hoops.

Tamara Wilson, the operations assistant for the Child Development Center at the marine base, noted the large turnout.

“We do heavy marketing here on base,” she said. “Unfortunately, we can’t do too much outreach in the community because of base access. But all of the families that are here on base, all the civilians, contractors, all of those are invited to come out and join in, whether they are enrolled in the center or not. Because we like for them to just come in and get a chance to see us in action, just see what we do (and) what we offer to the military families.”