From left, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, M-1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank and Bradley Fighting Vehicle are on display during the Child, Youth and School Services Army birthday commemoration June 14, 2016, at the West Child Development Center. (Photo by Spc. David Freydin)
By Spc. David Freydin
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
Child, Youth and School Services commemorated the 241st Army birthday June 14, 2016, by hosting its third annual static display of military vehicles, aircraft and equipment for Family members.
About a dozen military vehicles were on display for Families to explore, including a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, Stryker fighting vehicle and M-1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank, as well as an arts and craft tent for children.
Pvt. Zachary Kiefer, Company B, 1st Battalion 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, paints a child’s face with camouflage paint in the arts and crafts tent at the Child, Youth and School Services Army birthday commemoration June 14, 2016.
“This event was started to celebrate the military child,” said Kelly Bren, event coordinator and assistant director of the West Child Development Center, Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. “It lets them see what their parents do and have some fun while climbing in the vehicles that are provided by the units here.”
The 759th Military Police Battalion provided an M117 Armored Security Vehicle, said Sgt. Michael Pischel, 59th Military Police Company, 759th MP Battalion, who was among the Soldiers manning the vehicle display. He said having the community there with the Soldiers on the Army’s birthday was a great experience.
The M-1A2 Abrams was a huge hit among the kids, who were hoisted up by Soldiers onto the hatch of the tank, where they were then able to get inside and operate the controls.
Staff Sgt. Steven Quintero, Company A, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, who was in charge of the Abrams tank crew, said he has attended a couple of these events in the past but this one was special because it was the first time he saw a Black Hawk up close.
“Overall, everyone had fun and the weather couldn’t have been any better. We couldn’t have done this without the Soldiers supporting us,” said Bren.