AMES, Iowa – Iowa State Fairgoers will have a chance to show their support for those serving in the military at a booth in the 4-H Exhibits Building.

Visitors can use kiosks to insert video or still digital greetings into a selection of e-postcards to send to deployed military or military families. Four kiosks will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day of the fair. They will be provided through 4-H’s Operation Military Kids, an outreach program for the children of the National Guard and Reserve soldiers, and Iowa State University Extension.

“Soldiers and their families tell me it is important to stay in touch,” Chris Gleason, 4-H’s Operation Military Kids project director, said. “It helps them keep their morale high.”

Fairgoers also will see how many Iowa youth are affected by deployment. A map will illustrate the number of youth in each county with a parent deployed.

“People sometimes think few youth in their county have deployed parents,” Gleason said. “But the map shows the number of youth in every county with deployed parents is significant.”

Youth involved in the 4-H Technology Team and Speak Out for Military Kids will videotape fair highlights for Internet podcasts and create a longer version on compact discs to mail to deployed service members. The 4-H Technology Team also will teach Podcast 101 at the fair to educate military families and the public on how to produce and put podcasts on the Internet.

4-H alumni serving in the military will be honored in a special photo display in the 4-H Exhibits Building. Families of military 4-H alumni are invited to send in names and photos of their soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines to their county extension offices for inclusion in the display until Aug. 1.

“We know many 4-H’ers carry over their commitment to service into adult life and this year we want to provide special recognition for those who are serving in the military,” Gleason said.

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