Operation Spirit shows the mission to children

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nick Wilson
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
As the sun rises and glistens on the morning dew's reflection, a large pack of young laughing children chatters as they wait in anticipation for an opportunity to "deploy."

In support of the "Month of the Military Child," more than 125 children in the K-12 age group participated in the eighth annual Operation Spirit at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. April 20, 2013.

"This year we had a great turnout," said Senior Master Sgt. Mona Wendzillo, 509th Force Support Squadron Operation Spirit event coordinator. "The parents and kids were excited to participate."

The purpose of the event was to build resiliency in families and educate children on the deployment process, lessen fears a child might have about deployments and help them have fun in the process, she said.

"Operation Spirit helps children see what their parents go through," said Senior Airman Franklyn Kapuchuck, 509th Bomb Wing Airman Leadership School student and Operation Spirit Volunteer. "A lot of children from all ages see their parents deploy and they never really understand fully what they're going through. This event helped the children understand why parents go through certain types of stress during deployments."

In addition to the entire ALS class also showing their support, more than 40 volunteers from organizations all over the base made this event possible.

"We were here to keep the kids excited," said Senior Airman Jennifer Ochoa, 509th Bomb Wing ALS student. "I think this event contributes to health, morale and welfare in a big way by showing children that what we do in the Air Force is important and letting them be a part of it."

Not only did the event boost optimism in children, but it also was a morale booster for members of Team Whiteman who volunteered, said Kapuchuck.

"While we are focused on our military education in ALS, it's also important to give back to the community and have some unwind time," he said.

Even though Operation Spirit was originally put together by the Airman and Family Readiness Center, organizations all over the base collaborated to make the event a success.

"We relied heavily on the 509th Operations Support Squadron, the 509th Communications Squadron, the officer and enlisted spouse's clubs and volunteers all over the base," Wendzillo said. "Everyone on base comes together every year for this."

The Base Community Council and Kansas City Royals also pitched in with donations to help fund the event, she said.

Wendzillo has been leading the organization of the event for the last three years.

"I had the opportunity to see my daughter go through the event a couple years ago, and my son went through it this year," she said. "Because we have this event each year, a lot of the volunteers we have come back and do it the next year, so it's very fluid."

Because Airmen serving on active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve participated in the event, the event also fostered total force integration, said Wendzillo.

"You see people from all ranks, squadrons and walks of life coming in to come in with their children and do the exact same thing," she said. "We had a really good group."

Wendzillo said the support provided from all of the organizations on base also helped strengthen the spirits of families who have loved ones overseas.

"Families at bases want to see community activities," Wendzillo said. "By us coming out here, they're seeing that the military is here to support them. It shows that people care about eachother and care about families."