Benelux community celebrates military children with Colorful Run

By Ms. Jessica Marie Ryan (IMCOM Europe)May 14, 2018

CYS Colorful Run at SHAPE
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CYS Colorful Run at SHAPE
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CYS Colorful Run at SHAPE
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CYS Colorful Run at SHAPE
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CYS Colorful Run at SHAPE
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CYS Colorful Run at SHAPE
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CYS Colorful Run at SHAPE
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CYS Colorful Run at SHAPE
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CHIÈVRES, Belgium -- Child and Youth Services hosted a Colorful Run April 27 for children in the Chièvres Air Base and SHAPE communities in celebration of Month of the Military Child. The event brought families together as they ran through a course where they were splashed with bright-colored powder.

This year's theme for Month of the Military Child is "Brave Hearts, Resilient Souls." The theme resonates with the Benelux community as military children deal with the unique opportunities of living an international military environment.

Army Sgt. Stephanie Palmer, a military policeman at SHAPE, came to the event with her family and reflected on the importance of recognizing military children. "There is something special about the children of a military community," she said. "There are little Soldiers too."

Another parent Leeza Jordan, deputy comptroller at NATO Special Operations Headquarters, also talked about how living in a military community has had a positive impact on her children's upbringing.

"They get to see the world, and they get an appreciation of different cultures. They will grow up with a better awareness and acceptance of those cultures," she said. "We've built friendships with people from different nations here, and I think that they will become lifelong friendships."

Child and Youth Services host events year round for military children. To learn more about upcoming events, visit https://benelux.armymwr.com.

Related Links:

U.S. Army Europe

U.S. Army Garrison Benelux

U.S. Army Family and MWR: Benelux

U.S. Army Family and MWR: Chièvres Facebook

USAG Benelux Facebook

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U.S. Army Installation Management Command