Event celebrates 'Little Heroes' Published Nov. 20, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Amber Carter 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Airman and Family Readiness Center at Travis Air Force Base, California, hosted the Little Heroes Program 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Hampton Inn in Suisun City, California. The Little Heroes Program recognizes children of deployed service members for the sacrifice they make and to honor the children during the month of the military family and Thanksgiving. Col. Joel Jackson, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, spoke to the children and families about deployment cycles and tied it to current events, such as last week's terrorist attacks on Paris that left 128 dead. "The recent events in France remind us we have to remain vigilant and respond to such actions with fury," Jackson said. "That's why we wear the uniform. I can't stop the deployments but I can do something like this for you, to thank you for sacrificing for us." This marked the second year that Travis has hosted a Little Heroes Program. "It is an Air Mobility Command program I adopted from Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, when my husband and I were stationed there," said Shelley Merritt, AFRC work and life specialist. The Hampton Inn in Suisun City has been providing the service to military families for approximately five years. "The Hampton Inn hosts a free dinner and use of the hotel amenities for the evening to all families of Travis service members who are deployed, remote, TDY, etc.," Merritt said. The event included the child being recognized with a certificate and a picture with Col. Joel Jackson, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, along with refreshments. "The Little Heroes Program is important because it gives children recognition as a vital part of the family," Merritt said. "The sacrifice they make is just the same, if not greater, than their family counterparts when a parent is deployed." Ellen Hatfield, 349th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this article.