Guardsman shows care to children of residents

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ivyann N. Castillo
  • Operation Lone Star Public Affairs
During Operation Lone Star, parents wait to see a physician, a dentist, get vaccinations, go to a vision screening, go to the pharmacy and the list goes on, while the kids struggle to listen and keep themselves busy. Though OLS is a great service to the local Brownsville residents, it can put a strain on their children who have to wait in line with their parents. That is what U.S. Army Specialist Elizabeth P. Keebler, patient administrator with the Texas Medical Command in Austin, noticed during her first time at OLS when she was stationed at Rio Grande City four years ago. "I worked in the child care field on the civilian side, and felt it was necessary for the kids to play or be occupied while their parents were processing through for their medical or dental services," said Spc. Keebler. Spc. Keebler started the first daycare at Rio Grande City, and shortly after the other medical sites have followed through providing daycare during OLS. There are several activities the children can do such as playing with toys, games, creating arts and crafts and even hear a story or two so they won't be bored. "For safety and security, each child gets an arm band with a number and name tags, while the parent gets an armband with all the numbers assigned to their children" said Spc Keebler. Showing care and concern for the Brownsville citizens is one thing, but caring for their children is another. That's what OLS brings out of our Soldiers, Airmen, State Guardsmen and civilian counterparts: the fact that we care about our people.