Aviano carnival recognizes Wee Wyverns

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Austin Harvill
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Understanding the struggles of permanent changes of station and deployments and giving military children the care they need is paramount to the Aviano community.

That is why the 31st Force Support Squadron and multiple supporting agencies hosted a Month of the Military Child and Autism Awareness Carnival, April 2, 2016, at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

"Connecting as a community is important for our kids' health and for the rest of the family," said Vanessa Esposito, 31st FSS community readiness consultant. "This event works toward that healthy family lifestyle by bringing our community together so we stay resilient."

The event hosts reached out to their individual customers to bring them together to engage with the larger Wyvern community. The exposure benefited children since their options to interact with the community are entirely dependent on school or their parents' involvement, according to Esposito.

"Some of our kids are homeschooled and others might not get a chance to see their friends during the day," said Esposito. "Having a weekend, on-base event allows the kids to be themselves and interact with their friends."

Providing the youngest Wyverns a chance to have a good time is repayment for what they endure as military children.

"We aren't military members, but we also have it rough sometimes," said Trinity McDowell, a Wyvern sophomore homeschooler. "We are away from our parents a lot and that isn't easy."

Dealing with those sacrifices may be difficult, but McDowell understands the benefits of being a military child.

"My favorite part about being at Aviano is meeting new people and hanging out with the other homeschoolers, which isn't always possible," said McDowell. "I also love to travel, and I wouldn't be able to go to all the different countries and experience other cultures unless I was part of the military."

Building trusted friendships and positive outlooks of the military community for young Wyverns improves their social health and the well-being of the entire community, said Esposito.

"Our children didn't ask to be born into a military family. They have to cope with it and grow as people simultaneously," said Esposito. "Putting on this event shows them we care, but it doesn't end there. It's our responsibility to give them that sense of community and let them know we're here each and every day."