"I'll still be able to see the moon,
just like you"
his soon-to-be-deployed father tells Elmo"

It is extremely difficult for moms and dads in military families to tell their little ones they are leaving for a very long time and prepare them; this is so difficult, many families do not quite know what to do. Many parents are concerned they will say the wrong thing and frighten their children. What's a parent to do?

Who should come to the rescue? ... ELMO

Yes, Elmo, the character from Sesame Street and no, he is not a knight in shining armor and no, he is not dressed in a military uniform. Elmo is a part of Talk, Listen, Connet: Helping Families During Military Deployment.

Elmo, through Sesame Street, Wal-Mart Stores, the New York State Office of Mental Health and Military Child Education Coalition, have partnered to create FREE kits to military familes. The kit includes a Sesame Street DVD, a Parent/Caregiving Magazine and a Children's Activity Poster.

Military families can receive a free bilingual kit to help them cope with feelings, challenges, and concerns experienced during the various phases of deployment:

Pre-deploymet

Deployment

Homecoming

Talk, Listen, Connect is available through all the branches of the military service. Copies can be requested or downloaded online at www.sesameworkshop.org/tlc .

Whether any of us are for the war or against the war is just not a part of this wonderful announcement that Elmo, Sesame Street with additional support from NYSOMHM and MCEC are helping and supporting all of our military families around the world. Our military families need to know that we, in the United States, are thankful for what they and their families do to keep our nation free and we are proud of them.