BATON ROUGE, La. - The USS KIDD destroyer has heard the triumphs and disappointments of service members for over 40 years; but on this night, she only heard the sounds of laughter and amazement that echoes from her walls as service members and their families take part in an overnight camp.
The Louisiana National Guard Reintegration Office's Child and Youth Program along with Louisiana Operation: Military Kids welcomed military families aboard the historic USS KIDD for an overnight camp in downtown Baton Rouge, Nov. 12-13.
"Our Guardsmen volunteer their lives to protect our way of life, but they couldn't fight for our freedoms without the support of their families," said retired Col. John Angelloz, Reintegration Office officer. "The USS KIDD overnight camp gives these families a chance to learn about those that have served before them, to network with those that are currently serving and to strengthen their family's bond."
The event was open to all branches of service and had over 100 participants, including 28 LANG families.
"Family Readiness sent out a flyer, and I was intrigued," said Mandeville native Master Sgt. Alison M. Everett, 159th Operations Group intelligence analyst. "I thought it would be a great way to involve my family."
Participants ate pizza, experienced close-quarter living on the USS KIDD and learned about the courage displayed by the heroes that inhabited the great ship in previous years.
On Nov. 13, they were treated to breakfast and an opportunity to tour the Veterans Memorial Museum and attend a Louisiana State University tailgate party, courtesy of the LSU Agricultural Center's 4-H Program.
"This is a remarkable experience for our Guard families," said Angela D. Ott, LANG Reintegration Office, Child and Youth Program coordinator. "The children really enjoyed learning about the destroyer, making new friends and spending quality time with their parents."
"Operation: Military Kids helps connect military families, specifically those that are geographically dispersed like the Guard and Reserve," said Leslie Moran, Louisiana Operation: Military Kids program coordinator.
Operation: Military Kids is the U.S. Army's collaborative effort with America's communities to support children and youth impacted by deployment.
"It's really all about the families for us," said Caleb W. Persick, a Louisiana Operation: Military Kids graduate assistant. "We bring military kids together from across the state, and we raise the community's awareness on the effects deployment."
OMK's goal is to connect military children and youth with local resources in order to achieve a sense of community support and enhance their well-being.
"It was so cool," said six-year-old August D. Vaurigaud, the son of Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael Vauriguad, a 159th Fighter Wing command post controller. "Even when the noise and light woke me up this morning," he said referencing the 6:30 a.m., reveille that overnight campers experienced. =
"It was really nice to come together as a family without any distractions," said Army Maj. George R. Piccolo, 1918th Contingency Contracting Team leader, after his overnight experience. Piccolo, a Mandeville native, brought his wife, Celeste, and their four young children.
"I had lots of fun," said Sunset native Cameron L. Primeaux, son of Army Sgt. 1st Class Chadwick L. Primeaux with the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, currently deployed to Iraq. "I really liked the tour, especially when we walked past the torpedoes."
The USS KIDD is a Fletcher-class destroyer named after Rear Adm. Isaac Campbell Kidd Sr. who was killed aboard his flagship USS ARIZONA during the Pearl Harbor attack, Dec. 7, 1941.
Today, the USS KIDD is anchored in the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge and serves as the centerpiece of the Louisiana Naval War Memorial.
The Louisiana National Guard Reintegration Office's Child and Youth Program partners with Louisiana Operation: Military Kids and the 4-H Program once a year to host the USS KIDD overnight event. They also host several camps for military children throughout the year.