Children of Grand Forks soldiers get 'deployment'

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Children of Grand Forks Air Force Base airmen got a glimpse of what their parents go through before they're deployed around the world.

The base held a "family deployment line" event Saturday. More than 100 children age 3 to 16 got dog tags, a passport and physical tests. They got candy and Jell-O to simulate vaccinations.

They also got a briefing on their mission from the base commander, Col. Timothy Bush. Their mission was to oppose bullying.

Air Force Master Sgt. Jesse Maki says the event gives the children of military families a chance to see how deployment works.

Eight-year-old Jordan Payne told the Grand Forks Herald his favorite part of the event was face painting. Jordan got black, green and brown camouflage paint.

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