D-M Dads stand-up AFRC program

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Camilla Elizeu
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz., - --  The D-M Dad's group will have its first gathering, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. at the Get Air Tucson Trampoline Park near downtown Tucson.

The group is a way for fathers to receive information on all the different services and assistance that is available for their families.

"We are trying to get as many fathers and their children out to this event," said MSgt Marcus Sydow, 923rd Aircraft Maintenance production superintendent. "We are planning on meeting up once a month. Once we grow we would like to make it biweekly, one meeting for advocacy and support and one meeting for a fun event."

The D-M Dads Group is for all military fathers, whether active duty or dependent, no matter the age of their children.

"In most military families, the father is the military member, and with deployments, temporary duties and training it can be difficult to be a military dad," Sydow said. "So we came up with the idea to just get together, dads and kids only, and have fun events. Men seem to communicate better when being active and having fun as opposed to meetings, so this is a good way for fathers to learn from each other."

The group was formed in September of 2013 and is still under construction.

"We want to highlight the positives and get allfathers together so they can create a bond not only amongst each other but strengthen the bonds with their children." Sydow said.

D-M's Dads Group plans to have another gathering in the month of March at the local zoo.

"We encourage fathers to sign up in advance to receive the discounted rate and join the group," Sydow said. "We are trying to get the word out because we know there are fathers out there who could reap the benefits of this group."

Sydow hopes to turn the D-M's Dads Group into a private organization and eventually start a Tucson Dads Group.