Luke children at the Child Development Center April 1 held a parade to kick off the Month of the Military Child. This awareness month was established to point out the important role children play in the Armed Forces community. There are approximately two million military children; 1.3 million military children are school-aged. The care of military children sustains our fighting force, and strengthens the health, security, and safety of our nation’s families and communities.

Gianna Brown, 4, daughter of Senior Master Sgt. Donnie Brown, 56th Force Support Squadron and Master Sgt,Tiffany Alteri-Brown, 56th Maintenance Group, holds up an “Honor” sign while participating in this year’s Month of the Military Child kick-off parade April 1, 2016 at Fowler Park on Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Throughout the month, Luke children are taught that all lives matter, to be tolerant with each other and to respect and care for each other.

Photos by Denise Willhite

Ms. Dyane Robinson, Child Development Center education tech supervisor, takes a group photo April 1, 2016, at Fowler Park on Luke Air Force Base, Arizona with Luke children who represented the four Pre-school classes that participated in this year’s Month of the Military Child kick-off parade.

Ellory Ohmer, 4, daughter of Master Sgt. Jory Ohmer, 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and Jennifer Ohmer represented the Falcon class April 1, 2016, during the celebration kick-off parade for the Month of the Military Child. Ellory was one of the many Luke children who marched in the parade that was held at Fowler Park on Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The Month of the Military Child highlights military children all over the world and puts them in the spotlight.