Operation Purple Summer Campers tour a C-5 Galaxy
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio - Master Sgt. Larry Unger, 89th Airlift Squadron, demonstrates a winch on one of the 445th Airlift Wing's C-5 Galaxys during a tour for a group of children from Operation Purple Summer Camp.
In 2004, the Operation Purple® Summer Camp Program was created as a way to help military children struggling with having a parent deployed. Due to the success of the camp program, it expanded and has hosted more than 10,000 military children who have or will experience deployment. In 2008, there will be 100 weeks of camp held in 62 locations in 37 states and territories.
These free, week-long, overnight camps are open to all military children. The program aims to help military kids experience carefree fun while also learning coping skills to deal with war-related stress and fostering relationships with others who know what they are going through. (U.S. Air Force photo/Laura Darden)