Muppets entertain Team McConnell

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Armando A. Schwier-Morales
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Muppets from Sesame Street entertained hundreds at McConnell Air Force Base July 24, 2010.

Elmo and his friends spent the day entertaining Airmen and their families as part of the Sesame Street/United Service Organizations Experience for Military Families. The experience began traveling to installations across the United States in April 2010.

"Sesame Street has a history of 'edutainment,' educating and entertaining simultaneously, and Elmo has credibility because of that," said Lonnie Cooper, USO tour manager. "This show is not like the commercial shows because this one is very specifically written for military families."

Approximately 525 Team McConnell Airmen and their families watched as Rosita sang in Spanish, Cookie Monster danced and Grover performed during two shows. However, while Airmen and families watched the performance many of McConnell's Airmen were deployed around the world. According the 22nd Mission Support Group on average 400 Airmen are deployed at any given moment.

"This is a base that has a high rate of deployment so that makes it an environment where there are a lot of people we can serve who really understand what this is about and families that really need that support and assistance," said Mr. Cooper.

Additionally, Elmo and his buddies' performances played into the base and Air Mobility Command priorities.

"Family is a huge priority on base, especially with the new Comprehensive Airmen Fitness," said Stacy Mayou, 22nd Force Support Squadron marketing director. "A lot of the things we do, don't require your sponsor to be deployed. It's still family time, and taking care of dependents is what we do."

During the show, Elmo's daddy had to leave but Elmo danced and sang his sadness away revealing the embedded messages of how to deal with multiple deployments, including the separations and homecomings.

"We try to give the kids concrete things they can do such as writing letters, telling stories that mom and dad used to read to them, making music with their friends and things they can do to help pass the time making things better while their parents are away," said Mr. Cooper.

Also, the show presented the Airmen with talking points to help explain deployments to kids.

"We also see it as a way for the families to have that conversation when you can say 'Hey do you remember when Elmo said he missed his mom or dad when they had to go away. Well what did Elmo do?' When you can say that, I think it helps demystify [going away] and helps the kids understand that this is a natural part of life in the military," said Mr. Cooper.

One Team McConnell family member said she enjoyed the show and its message.

"It was a wonderful show with an energetic message and it was well needed. It also helps to make [kids] aware and prepared of what to do when a parent is deployed," said Marcella Cosby, wife of Staff. Sgt. Jeremy Cosby, 177th Information Aggressor Squadron team member.

Elmo and his friends gave hugs out as the lights dimmed and they sang their last song. However, they will reappear throughout the United States because when the tour finished they will have visited approximately 40 military instillations.