Moreno Valley children honor the military by hosting "Red, White and Blue" day Published April 4, 2009 By Beacon Staff 452 AMW MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. -- Jan Peterson Child Development Center in Moreno Valley honored the military recently by hosting "Red, White and Blue" day. The children, carrying American flags took part in a parade and then gathered to pay tribute to their special guest MSgt Phillip Hartzell 452 CES/EOD who is deploying to Iraq. His daughter recited the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the event. The day care center's director Pat Buzas read a poem by Charlene McGowan which left very few in the crowd with dry eyes: Prayer for Daddy Now I lay me down to sleep I pray my Daddy you will keep Safe from harm and the enemy And bring him home to Mommy and me. Cause he's a soldier, proud and strong And it seems he will be gone way too long Thank you Jesus for seeing him through To protect our country, and the red, white and blue. As the children sat as his feet, MSgt Hartzell spoke just a few words thanking everyone for coming and supporting the military and closed by saying the main reason the military does what they do it for the "little ones." All the military members who were present including MSgt Hartzell and his wife TSgt Rose Hartzell were treated to cookies and punch in some very small but accommodating chairs.