Art contests to reward creativity of military children Published Nov. 13, 2009 By Kimberly L. Wright Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Prizes are available to young artists participating in the 42nd Airmen and Family Readiness Center's Month of the Military Family art contest, which will also serve to honor injured military members as part of Wounded Warrior Month. During a student assembly Nov. 6, 42nd Air Base Wing Commander Col. Kris Beasley and Shannon Bupp of the 42nd A&FRC briefed the student body of Maxwell Elementary School on the contest and the prizes they and other military children could win. To participate in the contest, young artists in kindergarten through sixth grade with a parent who is an active-duty or retired military member of any branch are requested to draw pictures of their family on entry forms available at the A&FRC. Colonel Beasley encouraged youngsters to participate in the art contests. "Those wounded warriors who have served our country will be very appreciative of the artwork," he said. "We want you to think about what it means to be part of our military family and be part of your personal family in your house and put that into some artwork. I know I'm looking forward to seeing a whole bunch of those pieces of art later on after you're done." Young artists will receive a free game of bowling just for entering the local art contest. The local contest entries will be divided into three categories, with two winners in each category. First prize winners will be awarded a free brunch from the Wright Place, two Rave Motion Pictures tickets and a $20 gift certificate from AAFES. Second prize winners will get three free games of bowling at Maxwell/Gunter bowling centers and an AAFES movie pass. The local contest's six winning submissions will be forwarded for display at Wounded Warrior care centers such as Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. According to the Air Force Wounded Warrior Web site, an Air Force Wounded Warrior is any Airman suffering a combat or hostile-related injury or illness requiring long-term care and also requiring a Medical Evaluation Board or a Physical Evaluation Board to determine fitness for duty. This also includes any injury or illness resulting from hazardous service or performance of duty under conditions simulating war. The local contest participants are also encouraged to participate in the Armed Forces YMCA's "My Military Family" art contest. "We used the national form as the entry form for the local contest so that we can return it to the families at the end of the local contest," said Ms. Bupp. "That will give them the opportunity to submit it to the national contest if they desire." Forms for the national contest are also available online at www.asymca.org. The six first-place winners of the Armed Forces YMCA's "My Military Family" art contest will win a $500 savings bond. Those whose entries earn second place will win a $100 savings bond. Winning artwork will also have a chance to go into a national calendar. The Armed Forces YMCA "My Military Family" art contest entries must be postmarked Feb. 19, 2010. The art contest is one of two being conducted as part of the Month of the Air Force Family. The Gunter Child Development Center is conducting a Month of the Military Family poster and essay contest Nov. 1-17. The theme of Maxwell-Gunter's Year of the Air Force Family observances is "This is my Family. This is my Maxwell. This is my Air Force," according to Maj. Kathryn Brown, commander of the 42nd Force Support Squadron. A family fun run and 5k race and a YOAFF information Fair held Oct. 31 launched the Maxwell-Gunter Year of the Air Force Family activities. The Year of the Air Force Family is supported by four pillars: Airman and family support; education, development and employment; health and wellness; and Airman and family housing. These pillar concepts will be emphasized through several programs during the year hosted throughout the base and involving multiple base entities, including the A&FRC and the A&FRC's Family Support Branch, the 42nd Force Support Squadron, the 42nd Security Forces Squadron, Maxwell/Gunter youth centers and child development centers and the 42nd Medical Group's Mental Health Clinic and Family Advocacy Program. "The kickoff event served as an excellent opportunity to bring families together and not only show our appreciation for them but to give them an opportunity to get firsthand information from the agencies within each pillar relating to the future events planned throughout the Year of the Air Force Family, as well as provide families with information on services and resources that are available to them on a daily basis," said Derrick Sanders, chief of the Family Support Branch of the Air men and Family Readiness Center. According to www.af.mil, the Secretary and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force named July 2009-July 2010 as Year of the Air Force Family to provide leadership with a means to promote to Airmen, family members and surrounding communities the various programs available from the Air Force, including the many successful programs already in place and new programs to be unveiled throughout the year. To further emphasize the Air Force family, November was named Month of the Air Force Family, and Nov. 1-7 was named Air Force Family Week.