After Staff Sgt. David Chavez graduated from high school in Phoenix, he signed up for a three-year tour of duty at the Army recruiting station in Lyons. His original plan called for putting in his time and moving on.

However, the pride he felt from serving his country changed his perspective.

One event he enjoys is Armed Forces Week, offered by the Berwyn Park District’s summer day camp. As part of the 10-week program, children from Berwyn and neighboring towns get out of the house and are able to go on field trips, play outside in the park and make new friends.

This past Thursday, the event kicked off with a barbecue in Proksa Park, which also featured a number of activities sponsored by the Army. Chavez and his fellow men in uniform were able forego the sand-colored fatigues in exchange for shorts and T-shirts as they handed out concessions and created personalized dog tags. The children, young and full of questions, reminded Chavez of his siblings.

“Working with children is great. It gives me a break from the office, so that’s cool, but we’ve done events like this before, and you see the kids have a good time. That’s what it’s all about,” Chavez said. “Everybody out here but me has kids, so we’re always happy to make the kids happy.”

Vicky McLain of Berwyn has served as the assistant camp director for seven years and said most kids she oversees are only somewhat familiar with the Armed Forces. Children are taught what is happening in the Middle East, but to meet soldiers in person is a great experience.

“The children really like it when they see men in uniform like this come out,” McLain said. “It’s not every day that they see someone from the Army come out and interact with them.”

Upwards of 60 kids are enrolled in this year’s camp, McLain said. Those who were not interested in the activities took time to greet the soldiers, thanking them for a job well done. Chavez said the children appreciate what he does for the country.

One child with an appreciation for the military is David Romero, 11, from Chicago. This was the first time he had met anyone with the Armed Forces, which added to an already eventful day for him.

“(Armed Forces Week) shows us that our guys pretty much enjoy being in the United States instead of Iraq,” he said. “I’m enjoying it.”