 Military deployments can be difficult for service members as well as their families, which is why 48 children of various squadrons on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma were afforded the chance to participate in a recent Boots & Youths event giving these children of deployed Marines a taste of life on deployment. It's important to educate the kids to eliminate some of the fear of the unknown as well as help them to connect better with their deployed parent by knowing what that parent is doing during the time that they're away. The children participated in a number of events throughout the day, learning about land navigation, unmanned aerial vehicles, bomb disposal and even hygiene. The children were chaperoned by volunteer Marines, making sure they were safe and having a great time. We can go around mentoring Marines all we want, but these kids are our future and the idea of leaving a part of ourselves with them and seeing so they can pass it on to the next generation. I'm Sergeant Daniel Malta, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.