MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 servicemembers put on Marine Corps uniforms new and old during a Parade of Uniforms display, which took place inside the Matthew C. Perry High School Gymnasium here, April 4, 2013. The event gave young M. C. Perry students the chance to see and hear about the illustrious history of the Marine Corps.
“I think it’s important to bridge the gap,” said Sgt. Justin Daniels, MALS-12 aviation electrician. “As a military child, times can be hard, especially with parents getting deployed out here in Japan. You don’t have the comforts of home. I think it’s pretty important to show the kids what their parents do and the uniforms their parents wear and the pride we have in our heritage as Marines.”
A short description about the era and wars of the time accompanied every uniform displayed.
“We don’t have the usual nine-to-five job, and sometimes, the nation’s defense calls for us to go overseas for seven to eight months at a time,” said Daniels. “It leaves the kids pretty sad. There is a gap, so to speak, with a parent missing. Things can get stressful at the house, so it is important to let the kids see what their parents do and to understand the importance of what their parents do. It’s not that they’re neglecting them. It’s a pretty big sacrifice to put the United States and their families before themselves.”
In April, the Month of the Military Child, extra attention and consideration goes out to the members of a military family who may get overlooked in the regular routine.
“They live this life,” said Jeffrey Fleming, MALS-12 family readiness officer. “They’re in this lifestyle, day in and day out. They know mom and dad go to work, but they don’t know what mom and dad do and why they have to move every three years. It’s important for us to recognize our children of the military and show them we respect them for what they go through. Weneed to make them feel proud. They go through a lot of things a normal civilian child wouldn’t go through.”