FRG Leaders

One of our FRG Leaders recently came up with the idea to create a "We are thankful for our Red Dragon Soldiers" banner to display in the unit headquarters. She did a great job and it turned out really cute.

She cut 150 feathers out of cardstock paper in fall colors while another very talented leader drew and cut out the turkey shapes.  At our November FRG Family Night (which is basically a battalion-wide FRG Meeting), each person was asked to write their Soldier's name and explain why they were thankful for him/her.  The kids did a great job drawing pictures and the spouses had some wonderfully heartfelt words to share.

The day after the meeting, three ladies met together to put the banner together and display it in our battalion's headquarters.  We look forward to our heroes reading the sweet words written about them!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kids start the meeting making "I am thankful for ..." mini books and decorating their turkey feathers.

Working on the turkey feathers!

Putting the banner up in battalion headquarters

Close-up of a small turkey

Close-up of another small turkey

We are thankful for our Red Dragon Soldiers!

The lovely ladies who made this happen for us!

Here's how one FRG recently hosted a battalion-level meeting with a "Paper Hug" theme.  Check out lots of fun ideas for this theme at Pinterest: A Paper Hug FRG Meeting!

The childcare team read a book titled, "A Paper Hug" to the kids.  It's a must-have book for military kids.  You can view it here on Amazon.com:  A Paper Hug by Stephanie Skolmoski.

After reading and discussing the book, all children created paper hugs from construction paper and yarn to send to their Soldiers.  Adults assisted the kids in measuring their 'wingspan' and cut yarn to match.  The kids traced and cut out the shape of each of their hands then taped it all together to create a paper hug.

Here, a volunteer helps measure the length of one child's 'hug' to create his paper hug for his Soldier.

After creating paper hugs and decorating the letters to their Soldiers, the kids were able to write and draw on a "Paper Hug" banner to be sent downrange to the Soldiers.

While the kids were participating in all the paper hug fun, the FRG meeting went on in the adjoining room.  The agenda included a letter from the downrange commander, update from forward, photo slide show of Soldiers in action, OPSEC information from the brigade rear detachment commander, and break-outs into small groups (by battery/company).  Adults were informed of what their kids were doing and encouraged to also add a note to Soldiers on the banner.