Pearl Harbor Recognizes Month of the Military Child
Pearl Harbor Recognizes Month of the Military Child
Story Number: NNS040402-15
Release Date: 4/3/2004 5:36:00 PM
By Journalist Seaman Ryan McGinley,
Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- The Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) held a child abuse prevention and month of the military child proclamation signing ceremony March 31, in anticipation of April--the month of the military child.
"The main purpose...is to increase the public's awareness of problems [such as] child abuse and neglect, and to just let people know that there are ways to prevent it," said Chet J. Adessa, family advocacy program prevention and education specialist.
The ceremony included two representatives from the state legislature and Hawaii Sen. Brian Kanno, who presented Rear Adm. Barry McCullough, commander, Navy Region Hawaii, with a certificate of recognition, commending the Navy on all the things they do to prevent child abuse and help military families.
"Child Abuse Prevention Month helps raise the awareness level of our Navy 'ohana, because it is a simple fact that a child's quality of life starts at home," said McCullough. "Just one abused or neglected child is too many."
Local representatives from Prevent Child Abuse, Hawaii, and Child Protective Services attended the event, along with Mrs. Hawaii 2003, Ms. Kauai, Ms. Island Oahu 2003 and Mrs. Hawaii International 2003, who volunteer their services during the month of April and throughout the year. Children from the Child Development Centers and schools in the area also attended the event.
McCullough signed the proclamation in front of the children, which emphasized the Navy’s commitment to the prevention of child abuse and recognized Month of the Military Child.
“The proclamation that we have just signed today must be more than just a piece of paper,” said McCullough. “It must become a living document that parents and family members can use to remember the responsibility they bear when bringing children into this world. Our children are indeed life’s greatest treasure, and they look to us for their future.”
McCullough supported another event addressing child abuse by attaching a blue ribbon to his car after the ceremony. The blue ribbon, which can be worn on clothing or placed on car antennas, signifies child abuse prevention, said Adessa. Those wishing to support child abuse prevention can obtain a ribbon at FFSC.
“I think it’s important to set aside a whole month for these activities or events, but it shouldn’t stop there,” said Adessa. “It should be year-round.”
Month of the Military Child recognizes children in the military because they deal with aspects of military life, such as deployments or constant traveling, that other children might not have to deal with, said Adessa. “It takes a special kind of parent to be a parent of a military child,” he said.
Adessa said parents who stick together and continue communication with their children fare better. It’s important during times of deployment that children communicate with parents who might be far away, by email, telephone, regular mail and other means of communication.
A military child deals with the pressure of moving every three or four years. Adessa recommends keeping a consistent routine with the child that involves foods, games and stories to which the child has become accustomed.
“They need to have that kind of consistency or connection...to ease the transition,” he said. Child Abuse Prevention Month aims to bring awareness of the problem through a proactive approach, said Adessa.
“A lot of people just don’t realize how child abuse and neglect impacts our future heroes and children that are going to be taking our place one of these days,” he said.
“The goal is to bring to the forefront that child abuse is a national problem,” said Adessa. “Do what you can to help prevent child abuse...[and] don’t be afraid to seek help. The help is confidential.”
For related news, visit the Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cnrh.
Story Number: NNS040402-15
Release Date: 4/3/2004 5:36:00 PM
By Journalist Seaman Ryan McGinley,
Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- The Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) held a child abuse prevention and month of the military child proclamation signing ceremony March 31, in anticipation of April--the month of the military child.
"The main purpose...is to increase the public's awareness of problems [such as] child abuse and neglect, and to just let people know that there are ways to prevent it," said Chet J. Adessa, family advocacy program prevention and education specialist.
The ceremony included two representatives from the state legislature and Hawaii Sen. Brian Kanno, who presented Rear Adm. Barry McCullough, commander, Navy Region Hawaii, with a certificate of recognition, commending the Navy on all the things they do to prevent child abuse and help military families.
"Child Abuse Prevention Month helps raise the awareness level of our Navy 'ohana, because it is a simple fact that a child's quality of life starts at home," said McCullough. "Just one abused or neglected child is too many."
Local representatives from Prevent Child Abuse, Hawaii, and Child Protective Services attended the event, along with Mrs. Hawaii 2003, Ms. Kauai, Ms. Island Oahu 2003 and Mrs. Hawaii International 2003, who volunteer their services during the month of April and throughout the year. Children from the Child Development Centers and schools in the area also attended the event.
McCullough signed the proclamation in front of the children, which emphasized the Navy’s commitment to the prevention of child abuse and recognized Month of the Military Child.
“The proclamation that we have just signed today must be more than just a piece of paper,” said McCullough. “It must become a living document that parents and family members can use to remember the responsibility they bear when bringing children into this world. Our children are indeed life’s greatest treasure, and they look to us for their future.”
McCullough supported another event addressing child abuse by attaching a blue ribbon to his car after the ceremony. The blue ribbon, which can be worn on clothing or placed on car antennas, signifies child abuse prevention, said Adessa. Those wishing to support child abuse prevention can obtain a ribbon at FFSC.
“I think it’s important to set aside a whole month for these activities or events, but it shouldn’t stop there,” said Adessa. “It should be year-round.”
Month of the Military Child recognizes children in the military because they deal with aspects of military life, such as deployments or constant traveling, that other children might not have to deal with, said Adessa. “It takes a special kind of parent to be a parent of a military child,” he said.
Adessa said parents who stick together and continue communication with their children fare better. It’s important during times of deployment that children communicate with parents who might be far away, by email, telephone, regular mail and other means of communication.
A military child deals with the pressure of moving every three or four years. Adessa recommends keeping a consistent routine with the child that involves foods, games and stories to which the child has become accustomed.
“They need to have that kind of consistency or connection...to ease the transition,” he said. Child Abuse Prevention Month aims to bring awareness of the problem through a proactive approach, said Adessa.
“A lot of people just don’t realize how child abuse and neglect impacts our future heroes and children that are going to be taking our place one of these days,” he said.
“The goal is to bring to the forefront that child abuse is a national problem,” said Adessa. “Do what you can to help prevent child abuse...[and] don’t be afraid to seek help. The help is confidential.”
For related news, visit the Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cnrh.
posted by DP at 6:56 PM
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