Reading into community building

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abby L. Finkel
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Six 48th Fighter Wing Airmen visited the Brookes Cambridge school in Bury St. Edmunds, England, April 17.

At the event, which was aimed at community building between American Airmen and the local school, Liberty Wing participants read stories and conversed with the students.

For the younger children, the visit consisted primarily of reading books. The older children, however, spent much of the time asking questions and learning about the visiting Airmen and what it’s like to be a military member.

“It gave us the opportunity to interact with children in the local community who may have never had the opportunity to sit down with a service member before,” said Tech. Sgt. Justin Hamilton, 48th Civil Engineer Squadron unit deployment manager.

Gaining a deeper understanding of people from different walks of life is an integral part of the school’s mission.

"Where there's ever a chance to talk to people from different countries or environments we always try and utilize that for the children," said Samantha Lupton, personal assistant to the Brookes Cambridge head of school. "[By interacting with different people] the children get a wider understanding of the world. We want all of our children to be global citizens, so wherever they go they can integrate easily."

The visit also coincided with the Month of the Military Child. Created by the Department of Defense Education Activity, the MOMC recognizes military children and the resiliency they need as they deal with challenging situations such as parent deployments and frequent moves.

The Airmen shared their thoughts and experiences about some of the unique challenges faced by school-aged military children.

“Growing up as a military child was a very unique experience,” said Airman 1st Class Christopher S. Sparks, 48th FW Public Affairs photojournalist and former military child. “Having the opportunity to share that experience with these students who don’t have parents in the military is a great way to help them understand what it’s like.”

Many Airmen in the tri-base area live in local communities and some send their children to local schools for the duration of their overseas tour. Building relationships and helping local children and schools understand the challenges their children face can help military children fully integrate into the communities.

As guests in the U.K., building these relationships and mutual understanding with local communities is an integral part of being stationed here.

“[Community relations] is important because we bear the responsibility of being a good neighbor and ambassador for the U.S.,” Hamilton said. “Reaching out and getting involved in community activities is imperative to maintaining successful relations.”