Cummings Elementary links together to support community children

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Links decorated by Cummings Elementary School students sway in the wind May 6. Approximately 200 links were decorated and displayed at the base flag pole in honor of the Month of the Military Child. Each April, Americans pause to recognize the nation's 1.8 million military children during the Month of the Military Child, which marks its 25th anniversary this year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)

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Cummings Elementary links together to support community children

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Approximately 165 students line up behind a paper link chain at the base flag pole May 6. The paper chain was made in hopes of inspiring student's creativity while inviting them to bridge the gap between themselves and other military families living here at Misawa. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)

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Cummings Elementary links together to support community children

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Students from Cummings Elementary show Col. Al Wimmer, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander, their decorated links May 6. Approximately 200 links were joined together at the base flag pole in a local version of the worldwide effort known as "Lift, Link, Love" tailored to show support for military children. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)

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Cummings Elementary links together to support community children

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Qua'Niya Jones, daughter of Tech. Sgt. Christopher Jones, 35th Security Forces Squadron, left, and Ashley Brough, daughter of Capt. Michael Brough, 35th Medical Operations Squadron, look at the different links made by their fellow classmates May 6. Approximately 165 children participated in a modified version of the "Lift, Link, Love" effort established by Like it For Time, an organization created to raise public awareness of the one percent of the American population shouldering a decade of continuous war. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)

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Cummings Elementary links together to support community children

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Faris Sami, son of Petty Officer 1st Class Syed Sami, looks at the different links made by his classmates May 6. Approximately 200 links were made by students at Cummings Elementary to represent that particular child's feelings and thoughts about life as a military child. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)

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Cummings Elementary links together to support community children

Published May 6, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Marie Brown
35 FW/PA

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Cummings Elementary School students display a Month of the Military Child chain around the base flag poles May 6. Approximately 200 links were decorated by the children in an effort to support community children during Month of the Military Child.

The Month of the Military Child was first celebrated in 1986 and was established to underscore the important role children play in the Armed Forces community. It is an opportunity to recognize military children and youth for their heroism, character, courage, sacrifices and continued resilience.

"It is very important for everyone to remember the sacrifices each child makes as a military child," said Mr. Scott Sterry, Cummings Elementary School principal. "They support the military in a very different way."