Program Offers Encouragement to Military Kids

OKLAHOMA CITY -- We often celebrate our troops overseas, but it's not often we recognize their children. But now, a group of kids in Oklahoma are stepping up to change that.

The program is called Operation Military Kids. Nearly 50,000 knapsacks have been packed, and given to children across the country, which has a parent serving overseas.

And now, 4-H members are handing out the activity-filled bags in Oklahoma.

"I saw them when they opened their bags, they were all excited," 4-H Member Julie Bragg said. "They loved everything that was inside them."

It's a way for kids to connect with other kids -- and say "thank you." Included in each "hero pack" is a letter.

"Dear Friend, we truly appreciate everything your family has sacrificed for this country. You and your friends have made a difference in the lives of the people in this great nation. Again, thank you for all that you have done for others. Sincerely, Matt," the letter reads.

Long time 4-H member Matt Taylor got involved in the program because, although he says he can't relate without a parent of his own away at war, he appreciates the military kids' sacrifice.

"I know without their family members going overseas we wouldn't be able to live here in Oklahoma, and really be free," Taylor said.

Operation Military Kids organizers hope the "hero pack" helps children deal with the emotions related to a family member's deployment.

"They have a lot of issues we may not know about, we may not be aware of," Jeff Sallee with 4-H Youth Development said. "Particularly those that are in the reserve of the guard, because they're out in the communities and they're not associated with the installations, so they don't feel like they're a military family."

Hero Packets will go out across the state, especially at Tinker, Fort Sill, Altus and Vance Air Force Bases and National Guard units.

Operation Military Kids Day is coming up at Frontier City. The first 400 guests who are family members of troops overseas get into the amusement park for free on May 30.