Art contests to reward creativity of military children Published Nov. 13, 2009 By Kimberly L. Wright Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Prizes are available to young artists participating in the 42nd Airmen and Family Readiness Center's Month of the Military Mamily art contest, which will also serve to honor injured military members as part of Wounded Warrior Month. During a student assembly Nov. 6, Col. Kris Beasley, 42nd Air Base Wing commander, and Shannon Bupp, 42nd A&FRC, briefed Maxwell Elementary School students about the contest and the prizes available to military children. To participate in the contest, young artists in kindergarten through sixth grade with an active-duty or retired military parent of any branch may draw pictures of their family on entry forms available at the A&FRC. The contest's six winning submissions will be forwarded for display at Wounded Warrior care centers such as Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Colonel Beasley encouraged youngsters to participate in the art contest. "Those wounded warriors who have served our country will be very appreciative of the artwork," he said. "We want you to think about what it means to be part of our military family and be part of your personal family in your house and put that into some artwork. I know I'm looking forward to seeing a whole bunch of those pieces of art later on after you're done." Young artists will receive a free game of bowling just for entering the local art contest. The local contest entries will be divided into three categories, with two winners in each category. First prize winners will be awarded a free brunch from the Wright Place, two Rave Motion Pictures tickets and a $20 gift certificate from AAFES. Second prize winners will get three free games of bowling at Maxwell/Gunter bowling centers and an AAFES movie pass. According to the Air Force Wounded Warrior Web site, an Air Force Wounded Warrior is any Airman suffering a combat or hostile-related injury or illness requiring long-term care and also requiring a Medical Evaluation Board or a Physical Evaluation Board to determine fitness for duty. This includes any injury or illness resulting from hazardous service or performance of duty under conditions simulating war. The local contest participants are also encouraged to participate in the Armed Forces YMCA's "My Military Family" art contest. "We used the national form as the entry form for the local contest so that we can return it to the families at the end of the local contest," said Ms. Bupp. "That will give them the opportunity to submit it to the national contest if they desire." Forms for the national contest are also available online at www.asymca.org. The six first-place winners of the Armed Forces YMCA's "My Military Family" art contest will win a $500 savings bond. Second place entries will win a $100 savings bond. Winning artwork will also have a chance to go into a national calendar. The Armed Forces YMCA "My Military Family" art contest entries must be postmarked Feb. 19, 2010. The art contest is one of two being conducted as part of the Month of the Air Force Family. The Gunter Child Development Center is conducting a Month of the Military Family poster and essay contest Nov. 1-17. According to www.af.mil, the Secretary and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force named July 2009-July 2010 as Year of the Air Force Family to provide leadership with a means to promote to Airmen, family members and surrounding communities the various programs available from the Air Force, including the many successful programs already in place and new programs to be unveiled throughout the year.