march 23, 2012
military appreciation
Military Appreciation Day 2012 By Jessica Ginet
Military Appreciation Day 2012 will deliver a full day of fun and activities scheduled for the whole military family. Set for March 31 at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds, events run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rear Adm. Robert M. Hennegan will be the guest speaker. The revered Navy Band Northwest and the Marine Color Guard will perform with precision for the crowd gathered to show gratitude to the men and women who serve the nation in uniform. Marine exhibits, military dogs demonstrations and plenty of children’s activities are
scheduled throughout the day. Holly Wasson will sing the national anthem and shortly after, kids will have a chance to experience a bit of what mom and dad went through in boot camp. The kids’ bootcamp is an interactive camp where parents send their children to learn drills, marching information, running, yelling for fun and doing the most useful exercise in the world – pushups. Several Kitsap County princesses will be around during the day. They are expected to be dressed as the characters, Snow White, Cinderella and more, providing face painting for the younger attendees. Caring Clowns International will make balloon characters
PUBLISHER: Sean McDonald EDITOR: Greg Skinner STAFF WRITERS: JJ Swanson & Jessica Ginet PRODUCTION: Bryon Kempf ADVERTISING: 360-308-9161 Copyright 2012 ©Sound Publishing Inc.
for distribution. More than 70 commercial booths are reserved by local and regional merchants to provide discounts for service members and their families. “Every single booth is giving away prizes,” said Shane McGraw, a local businessman and disabled veteran. “The military community props us up financially, physically and contributes value to the community. The purpose of the event is to show appreciation for our military men and women and their families.” Naval Base Fleet and Family Readiness will have an information table at the event with all the departments represented, including sports and fitness specialists. Military Appreciation Day 2012 comes at an opportune time. With the USS John C. Stennis recently returning to its home port March 2 after a seven month deployment, those who have been abroad and those without their loved ones can enjoy a day in their honor. While serving on the
Page 3
U.S. Navy photo by Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Sabrina Wade Brent
Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Mario Caracciolo is presented with a Seattle Seahawks fan jersey and other prizes by three of the Seahawks cheerleaders. Caracciolo also received tickets to the Seahawks Monday Night Football game during a past Military Appreciation Day. USS John C. Stennis, troops supported Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Pilots on board led the final combat mission of Operation New Dawn in Iraq. “My personal goal is to have
one day every month as military appreciation day,” McGraw said. “A day with special retail discounts, events and family opportunities for those that serve.”