News Release

HONOLULU—Members from the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, members of the Department of Defense and local agencies helped support Operation Purple at Hawaii’s north shore in Waialua, Wednesday.

The annual event, hosted by YMCA Camp Erdman, is a program of the National Military Family Association. It is designed to bring children of deployed service members together for an exciting and memorable camp experience. The camp is geared toward giving them additional tools to help deal with the stress resulting from their parents’ deployment and to impart the message, “kids serve too.”

"The campers, the counselors, and the staff were thrilled, impressed, overwhelmed and simply enthralled at the commitment, the equipment, the men and women and the entire experience," said Brister Thomas, Camp Erdman's military liaison.

Seeing the Coast Guard in action, feeling the hum of the engines, the roar of the motor, the familiar connection to the uniforms-- the Coast Guardsmen dedication to sharing their lives with these children is what will help them through the tough days when they miss their parent the most. Thank you, said Thomas.

Guardians from the 14^th Coast Guard District along with members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the United States Army, the Marine Corps, the Navy and the Air Force attended the event. Service members also made tactical equipment such as helmets, shields battering rams, K-9 units, and armored vehicles available to the children to view and tour.

In addition to the military, the local fire department also attended, bringing four of their fire trucks. A rescue helicopter aircrew from Air Station Barbers Point performed a hoist demonstration for the children.

For more information about YMCA Camp Erdman, please contact Peter McGregor at (808)-637-4615.

For high-resolution photos please visit:

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=896100

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=896111

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=896103

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=896108