November is Military Family Month at the Rockwall Y

Rockwall County families with loved ones serving in the military can connect at the Y 

(Rockwall, November 10, 2012) – Military Family Month provides all Americans the opportunity to recognize the dedication, sacrifice and service of military personnel and their families.  The Rockwall Family YMCA recognizes military families this November and all year round by bringing families together to have fun, grow, strengthen their relationships and build connections with other families waiting at home.

“The Rockwall Family YMCA is a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community, and this begins with ensuring all people are welcome and can find a place to connect – as in the case of families who are separated from loved ones who are serving our great nation,” said Liz Jones, Membership and Wellness Director, Rockwall Family YMCA. “Having a loved one in harm’s way puts a lot of stress on family members at home and the Y offers a supportive environment to make the situation more manageable.”

First established by the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) and recognized by first lady Nancy Reagan in 1993, Military Family Month recognizes the dedication and service of military personnel and their families.  On Oct. 30, 2009, President Barack Obama continued this important initiative by proclaiming November as Military Family Month, calling on “all Americans to honor military families through private actions and public service for the tremendous contributions they make in the support of our service members and our Nation.”

In honor of Flag Day this year, the Rockwall Family YMCA hung a very special plaque and United States flag inside the facility.

This particular flag has been on a journey of more than 10,000 miles, capturing memories of wartime and signifying ongoing support and commitment to the people of Afghanistan, and all the sacrifices of the men and women of the Armed Forces and involved NATO countries.

“In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, this flag was specially flown for the Rockwall YMCA at Garrison Command in in the C130, while conducting a routine medical mission to Bagram Airfield,” explained Staff Sergeant Vipulkumar Patel, who presented the flag to the Y. “On behalf of my Unit, 350^th Human Resources Company, my family and individuals who made this happen, I am very thankful to the YMCA, its staff, and the local community to honor and display such history wrapped in the U.S. colors.”

Marilyn King, a fitness instructor at the Rockwall Y, has been instrumental in maintaining a “military family connection” at the Y. Despite suffering the loss of her own husband recently, Marilyn’s gift for making others feel at home at the Y has only deepened. She was with Patel during the presentation of the flag.

Marilyn’s friendship with the Patel’s began a little more than a year ago, when the family first came to Rockwall. Having been part of a military family herself, and understanding what it is like to move a lot with the military, Marilyn welcomed the Patel’s with open arms. When the Staff Sergeant Patel had to leave for Afghanistan, Marilyn assured him that she would check in on his wife to make sure she was OK while he was gone. Patel said that this kind gesture helped him serve our country, knowing that there was support and care for his family back home.

“Marilyn goes above and beyond making people feel connected at the Y, especially seniors and military families,” said Liz Jones, Membership and Wellness Director.  ”Not only does she connect people to the Y, but she connects members to each other. One of our members, a young man in his 20s, was going to Ranger school. When he returned, he brought Marilyn a Ranger flag and told her that he had felt so welcomed by her when he came to the YMCA, that he wanted her to have it. That flag is hung up in our weight room. Many of the military folks that come in have expressed their appreciation for it. They began asking about it, and wanted to get to know the young man who brought it in.”

To learn more about the Y and its programming that supports family time, contact the Rockwall Family YMCA, rockwallymca.org.

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  Flag Day, military month, plaque, Rockwall, veterans, YMCA