BISMARCK, N.D. - Children of Bismarck’s Centennial Elementary School, whose parents are deployed with the North Dakota Army National Guard’s Kosovo Forces (KFOR-12), teamed up with cub scouts Oct. 9 to honor their parents’ military service.
After a brief meeting with Centennial first grade teacher Beth Kocis, the organizer of the effort, several conveys of children and accompanying parents split up to travel to seven Bismarck destinations to tie yellow ribbons at the homes of the deployed Soldiers.
"The yellow ribbons symbolize support for the military members serving away from home and allow the children to actively participate in honoring their parents’ service,” said Kocis. "
Kocis, a graduate of the University of North Dakota with an undergraduate degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in early childhood development, understands the stresses and special challenges that may accompany children when their parents are called away for a year of military duty.
Her own father was deployed to Vietnam when she was growing up and later served overseas during operation Desert Storm. This experience caused her to take a special interest in children who are undergoing a similar experience.
Last spring, Kocis participated in seminar sponsored by the Military Child Education Coalition, which made her decide to actively make a difference in military children’s lives.
"Given the stresses of separation, it’s important to help children keep their routines as normal as possible,” added Kocis. "Honoring Soldiers with yellow ribbons helps children cope with deployments. Assisting them through this experience is the right thing to do.”
This school year, Centennial has twelve children from seven Families with deployed parents. These students are part of the school’s "Trooper Club” which recognizes military Family members.
Fifth grader Grant Bushaw and his first grade brother Braydon were excited by the opportunity to do something to honor their father, Chief Warrant Officer Lee Bushaw, who was mobilized last Aug. for the mission.
"People should remember that our dad and others are serving in Kosovo and lots of other places,” remarked Grant. "So we’ll put yellow ribbons all over their yards; we don’t want anyone to forget them”.
Lee Bushaw serves as the executive assistant to the commanding general KFOR-12.
Sydney Murphy was part of the crew that decorated her own home as well as the home across the street which belongs to Melissa Ringgenberg. Ringgenberg’s husband is also deployed with the KFOR-12 contingent, thanked the children for placing a large yellow ribbon on her mailbox.
"The children’s patriotism is overwhelming,” Ringgenberg told a neighbor who walked over to see what the children were doing. "I cannot thank them enough for doing this project.”
"We are doing this to show support for all Families with deployed Soldiers”, said Murphy. "We want people to always remember our Soldiers because of all they do for us and for protecting our country.”
Murphy’s father is Capt. Dan Murphy who serves as the KFOR-12 public affairs officer.