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Child Abuse Prevention Month kicks off

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rebekah Phy
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, McGuire, Fort Dix and Lakehurst members gathered to sign the "2008 Proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention" April 1 here. 

"We are a military at war, and we recognize that both our servicemembers and our families are making sacrifices everyday," the proclamation reads. "With deployment being a significant reality of military life, it is imperative that our Soldiers, Airmen, Soldiers, and Marines go on their mission with the certainty that their spouse and children have our support." 

"... Our Child Abuse Prevention Month campaign for 2008 must reinforce the promises we make to our families. Just as we give full support to the force, so we have to give full support to the families." 

Col. Bill Spacy, 305th Air Mobility Wing vice commander, Army Lt. Col. Roger Cotton, Fort Dix deputy installation commander, Navy Cmdr. Stan Kloss, Lakehurst public works officer, Ms. Darleen White, Department of Youth and Family Services representative and director of the Child Development Center, and Ms. Beth Hibbard, Providence House representative, all signed the proclamation, signifying their commitment to child abuse prevention and their support in spreading awareness. 

Each representative also "signed" the "These Hands Don't Hurt Campaign", a visual commitment to anti-violence. Their handprint in paint sealed the deal. 

Colonel Spacy expressed the importance of the event and thanked everyone for their support in child abuse prevention. 

"I'm glad we're taking this time to have a month dedicated to child abuse prevention," he said. "As everyone knows, the military deploys a lot ... a lot of families are left home with added stress. Our thanks go to Family Advocacy and all the efforts of everyone here who help us get through those times." 

Several activities are scheduled in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, including the Child Abuse Prevention Unity Walk/Run April 17, 12 to 1 p.m., at the Griffith Field House. For more information on upcoming activities, call (609) 562-2767.