Month of the military child: Highlighting KMC youth in action

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael Voss
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  As the Air Force celebrates April as the Month of the Military Child, many KMC parents are expressing the many reasons why they are proud of their children.

Like 435th Air Ground Operations Wing Safety officer Tech. Sgt. James Musgrave and his wife, Sugin. Their son Joseph is proving that military children, like their parents, hold real concern for the world around them, and they are just as willing to get involved.

Joseph Giorgi, a 16-year-old sophomore at Kaiserslautern High School, has been actively involved with projects like sending care packages to deployed servicemembers since age eight. Through his parents' guidance, Joseph has always found ways to give back to the community around him.
 
"Joseph and his mom were watching the news after the beginning of the Iraqi war and he could not understand how grown adults actions such as protesting were supporting the troops," Joseph's stepfather Sergeant Musgrave said. "From that moment on he decided he wanted to support servicemembers and has expanded that desire to help further than the gates to private citizens as well."

Recently, after the most devastating earthquake to hit Haiti in 200 years caused tremendous damage to the country, Joseph decided he wanted to do something, whatever he could to help. Looking around for an opportunity, he found shoes.

In his closet were numbers of shoes, some still with the tags that he has simply grew out of before wearing them.

"I came up with the idea when I was searching through my closet one day, and I found more than a couple of pairs of old shoes that hardly had any wear and tear, because my feet grow very fast. Right now, I wear a size 13 in men's," the North Dakota-native said.

This was his avenue. Joseph logged on to the Web and found a site called "Soles 4 Souls."

"Soles 4 Souls" is a non-profit organization that works with various shoe stores to collect shoes and then distributes them to people in need. The charity has pledged to work with other aid agencies to give one million pairs of shoes to the people of Haiti.

Joseph, working with his school counselor and his classmates, started the KMC "Soles 4 Souls" Shoe Drive placing donation boxes in strategic areas throughout the KMC.

"This shoe drive will help people around the world, and all anyone has to do is just drop off a new or used pair of shoes or donate money to help ship the shoes," Joseph said.

The drive runs through the end of April. For those interested in donating, bring any new or gently used shoes, or donations money for postage to one of the drop boxes located at the KMC or Volgweh Military Complex Community Centers. Or if you're just looking for more information, you can call 06313506493.

Help us continue to celebrate the Month of the Military Child this April. If you have a military child you want to highlight, send us an e-mail 86aw.pa@ramstein.af.mil with their photo and a brief explanation of why they should be recognized.