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Childrens Carnival held to honor ‘youngest warriors’

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chad Padgett
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Clear skies, warm weather and a children march from the housing gate kicked off the annual Childrens Carnival at the Youth Center April 18.

The annual event is part of the Month of the Military Child, held every April to honor military children for the sacrifices they have to make.

"We do a lot of programs during the Month of the Military Child, including bike safety, base safety and we finish with a walk in the morning and then the carnival," said Roxanne Lee, 436th Force Support Squadron Youth Center recreational specialist. "It's a big day for our youngest warriors. We've been doing this carnival for over ten years, every year we have over 800 people show up for the event."

The carnival had all sorts of activities for children, including games, face painting, bouncy castles, food and a cupcake-eating contest.

"My favorite part was winning prizes from all of the free games," said Seth Kashnier, the 10-year-old son of Tech. Sgt. Ralph Kashnier, 436th Arial Port Squadron. "The Youth Center had so much to do, I didn't know what to do first."

The Youth Center enlisted help from the First Term Airmen Center and youth groups to run events and cook food.

"There are so many booths and events here that we couldn't' possibly do it without our volunteer teens from the youth groups and Airmen from FTAC," said Mrs. Lee. "There is always a lot of work and planning that goes into these kinds of events, but when you see the children and the parents laughing and having a good time, that makes it all worth it."