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FORT MYER, Va. (April 7, 2008) - Children normally are told to
quit clowning around, but today it was actually encouraged, as
clowns from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus
entertained more than 100 youngsters at the child development
center here.
"This is a great for our families," said Army Col. Laura
Richardson, garrison commander for the Fort Myer military
community. "To be able to bring an activity like this ... is
awesome."
Deployed troops, the ranks of whom include her husband, love to
hear about events like this one, the colonel said.
"This is great stuff for out troops that are deployed, knowing
that their families are getting to see things and have
opportunities like this," Richardson said. "It's a win-win all the
way around."
For an hour, the children participated in antics dreamed up by
the clowns, acrobats and dancers. They stood bravely between two of
the tricksters while bowling pins flew over their heads during a
juggling demonstration.
The giggles got even louder when the ones who had to be brave
were some of their favorite adults who, at one point, had an
acrobat flying over them.
Not everyone was as enamored with the red noses and floppy shoes
as their classmates. Gavin Baltes, 2, found the whole thing a bit
overwhelming and spent most of the show watching his classmates'
reactions over a caregiver's shoulder.
By the end, however, everyone was smiling and dancing. During
the "Bellobration," a dance named for one of Ringling's favorite
sons, Bello the clown, the children and adults alike followed along
as the entertainers led them through the moves.
Then it was back to their classrooms with big smiles on their
faces.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, which is
currently performing at George Mason University's Patriot Center,
is a corporate supporter of America Supports You, a Defense
Department program connecting servicemembers and their
families.
"We're grateful to Ringling Brothers for the great experience
they are bringing to the children at Fort Myer," said Allison
Barber, deputy assistant secretary for internal communication and
public liaison. (Also) for their continued commitment to America
Supports You, as they bring laughter and smiles to the faces of our
military children during April's 'Month of the Military Child'
celebration."
Featuring a few veterans, the circus salutes the military and
America Supports You during every performance, Barber said.
"This is a first for us to bring (the circus) to the day care
here at Fort Myer," she said, adding. "They've said, 'Whatever we
can do for the military community is what we want to do.'"
It's important to recognize the service and commitment of the
military member, the military spouse and the children whose parents
are serving, Barber said.
"We try to put a lot of energy and lift into saying to the boys
and girls, 'You know, you're serving, too. It's different, (but)
every time your mom or dad misses your soccer game or your ballet
recital, that's a sacrifice, too,'" she added.
Editor's Note: Military families can also avail
themselves of the Defense Department's America Supports You
program, which highlights home-front groups across the nation that
are providing a variety of services and support to troops and their
families. A listing of these groups and information about their
efforts is available at www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil.
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