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Homefront Heroes – JBPHH Recognizes Military Children

  • Published
  • Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM --  In celebration of the ‘Month of the Military Child,’ JBPHH recently held the Homefront Heroes award ceremony April 20, 2016, at the Hickam Military and Family Support Center.

Homefront Heroes is a yearly event to recognize children whose parents are currently serving in a deployed environment, or who are frequently TDY. The event is intended to highlight the sacrifices the children make, and the challenges they face when their loved one is away from home.

During the event, the children were able to participate in award ceremony which emulated Naval and Air Force award ceremonies. The event was complete with an emcee, proffer and leadership present to award the children a medallion.

On hand to present the medallions was Col. Charles Velino, 15th Operations Group commander.

“Although this event is held but once a year, it is important to remind our children they are appreciated and their support is cherished,” said the commander. “This event highlights the sacrifices they make and it is important to recognize the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis while their mom or dad is away.”

Jeremy Simon, Military Family Support Center Work and Family Life consultant, said the Homefront Heroes award program is a way to recognize the service and sacrifice of military children who also have to endure the deployments of their parents in uniform.

“In celebration of the Month of the Military Child, we would like to recognize and appreciate the support and sacrifice of America's youngest heroes – The children! Our military children are just as proud of their parents as the parents are of them,” said Simon. “But sometimes, as a kid, you don't see the uniform -- you see Mom or Dad and only know that they have to go away.”

Simon said while deployments and time away from their parents might not be as difficult as it was in years past, (due to the advent of modern technology) he said you can’t replace mom or dad with a computer screen.

“There are more ways now than ever before to help us keep in touch with family when we deploy. We can call or video conference using computers or cell phones, and it is amazing. To be able to see and hear our loved ones and feel a part of their lives on a daily basis -- but it is not a replacement for actually being there in person.”

Simon said the little moments are the ones that are missed the most -- to be there to give a hug, or put a band aid on a skinned knee, moments and memories we miss that happen when the video isn't on.

“I think it is so very important to recognize the sacrifices of military children,” he said. “So often, a service member is thanked for their service and military spouses are recognized for the support they give to their service member, but children sometimes aren't as noticed even though they provide just as much love and support when their military parent is away.”

For more information about the Homefront Heroes program, visit http://homefrontheroes.com/