Mobility line teaches children about deployments

Team Dover processes through the Children's Mobilitiy Line June 25, 2010. The Children's Mobility Line has run for six years and works with more than 300 children a year. Its purpose is to educate the children on the processes of pre-deployment and show them they serve too. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jason Minto/Released)

Mobility line teaches children about deployments

Thomas Abell Jr., 2, son of Maj. Thomas Abell, 436th Force Support Squadron, puts on his dog tags during the Children's Mobility Line June 25, 2010. The mobility line's message is children are also serving as freedom fighters while their parents are away on deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jason Minto/Released)

Mobility line teaches children about deployments

Capt. Bryan Guidry, 3rd Airlift Squadron, gets his daughters', Jeanette, 2, and Acadia, 4, finger prints during the Children's Mobility Line June 25, 2010. The Children's Mobility Line was put in place to help show children what their parents go through during the pre-deployment process and help relieve some of the stress. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jason Minto/Released)

Mobility line teaches children about deployments

Senior Airman Sheldon Shockley, 436th Civil Engineers Squadron Explosive Ordinance Disposal team, demonstrates the use of an anti-explosive robot during the Children's Mobility Line June 25, 2010. The Children's Mobility Line gave children the opportunity to see the many aspects of deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik/Released)

Mobility line teaches children about deployments

Published June 28, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Matthew Hubby
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- For military families, there is a "D" word that rarely gets spoken around the house - Deployment. Many children don't understand at first what this word means for their mom and dad, and it often causes a lot of stress for families.

The Airman and Family Readiness Center, along with several other units, have joined together to make the D-word not as scary anymore. Together, they started a Children's Mobility Line, which has run for six years.

The mobility line gives the children a unique opportunity to see what it is like for their parents when they go through pre-deployment, as well as demonstrations by Explosive Ordinance Disposal and the security forces K-9 units.

"We want to let the children know they are freedom fighters too," said Staff Sgt. Chanelle Wilburn, 436th Force Support Squadron personnelist. "We give them dog tags at the start of the mobility line, because we want to show them not only do their parent's serve, but they do too. Their parents may go away for awhile, but their children are right there with them in spirit."

Many of the agencies that assist with deployments and everyday base life were also at the mobility line to show their support. The American Red Cross, United Service Organizations and many others, were there to hand out special items to the children, showing them they were there to support the armed forces no matter where they went.

"This mobility line really gives the helping organizations a chance to highlight their support for Team Dover," said Master Sgt. Verna Ford, 436th FSS readiness non-commissioned officer in charge. "It also shows the children they are an important part of Team Dover as well. They are a key member to the mission, because family is very important and plays a large role in the mission."

Every year, more than 300 children pass through the mobility line, which usually begins at the start of the summer months because a lot of parents will be deploying soon, so the Children's Mobility Line is a big stress reliever prior to deployments, said Sergeant Ford. "It helps put the children at ease about what their parents might be doing soon, which is always a relief for the parent about to deploy."