April marked the Month of the Military Child, a month where military youth are recognized for their courage, sacrifices, and service to their communities, country, and their world. While navigating childhood and pre-adolescence can be challenging for all youth, military youth face additional challenges as their families serve. It is important that they are recognized for their resilience and service. The University of Wyoming Extension recognizes and appreciates how much these youth do for their communities.
The partnership with UW Extension’s Laramie County 4-H program and the Wyoming National Guard Child and Youth program brought an evening of fun, learning, and encouragement to the annual Month of the Military Child event Tuesday, April 7.
The event was held at the Laramie County Community College American National Bank Conference Center in the Pathfinder Building, with outstanding attendance. There were a total of 23 community booths, a small petting zoo provided by Laramie County 4-H members, and a Lifeline helicopter landing.
The event began with an awards ceremony in which Cheyenne’s East High School JROTC Color Guard presented the flag and one East High School choir student presented the national anthem. Col. McGee delivered a captivating speech, emphasizing the significance of military-connected youth and their contributions to their communities. While attending the Month of the Military Child event, numerous military-connected youth received certificates of appreciation.
The community booths included five local 4-H clubs (Circuit Breakers 4-H Club, Laramie County Junior Leaders 4-H Club, Saddle Mountain Mavericks 4-H Club, Western Swing Dancing 4-H Club, and Wind Wranglers 4-H Club); Big Brothers Big Sisters; Flydragon Design Studio; Cheyenne Children’s Museum; Texas Roadhouse; Laramie County Public Library; Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Trauma Unit; Laramie County DARE; Specialty Counseling; Wyoming Starbase Academy; Laramie County Fire Station #2; American Medical Response; FE Warren School Liaison Mary Jacobson; local bee keeper Kathy Juniker; 21st Century Equipment; and two booths from the University of Wyoming Science Initiative Roadshow, which showcased healthy living and reptiles.
Each booth provided educational opportunities for youth and families to participate in, creating a unique educational experience for all ages. Youth and families had the opportunity to learn about a variety of topics ranging from 4-H, bees and honey, painting, packing wounds, 3-D printing, and much more.
The partnership between Laramie County 4-H and the Wyoming National Guard Child and Youth program brought community members, military members, and their families together to celebrate our military youths. The evening provided an engaging and educational experience while emphasizing the importance of supporting our military and military-connected youth.
