Meridian Navy Base Receives Sesame Street-Themed Room

MERIDIAN, Miss. (NNS) -- Sailors and family members attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 12 for the opening of a Sesame Street-themed room, the Sesame Room, in family housing aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian, Miss.

Four-year-old Darryl Coleman Jr., the 4-year-old son of Staff Sgt. Darryl Coleman, ran straight to the drum set and began to play with the musical instrument just moments after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"This is fun," said Darryl Jr.

Jessica Coleman, Darryl's wife, was just one of several mothers who brought their children out for the opening of the interactive room, which is based on the popular children's television show Sesame Street.

"We have four children, ages 15 to 3, so this fun room will help entertain them," said Coleman. "It's very educational and will benefit housing residents greatly."

Along with parents and children, representatives from the base and Balfour Beatty Communities, the corporation that manages the properties in housing, came out to see the opening of the new room and to attend a Sesame Street themed party.

"We are excited to announce the opening of the Sesame Room on board NAS Meridian. This space will be a success due to the unwavering commitment we at Balfour Beatty Communities have to our military families," said Donna Riley, community manager for NAS Meridian's Balfour Beatty Communities.

"We want families to come as often as they like and enjoy the space. Thank you to our Navy partners, to the staff at Balfour Beatty, the staff at Navy Family Housing and the staff at the Fleet and Family Support Center who all supported and helped us to reach the goal of obtaining this special room," said Riley.

Shannon Foster, wife of Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Bryan Foster, brought her 3-year-old son, Garret.

"I just love it," said Shannon. "It gives my son a chance to get out of the house and interact with other kids. It's a great place for families to come and hang out and get to know each other."

NAS Meridian was awarded the "Room in a Box," which brings friendly, familiar characters and bright, cheerful decor intended to brighten up children's spaces in facilities that are committed to providing the best resources to military children, such as military hospitals, libraries, child care centers and family support centers. NAS Meridian was one of three Navy bases to be selected.

The Sesame Room, located at family housing, is approximately 400 square feet decorated with Sesame themed wall murals and artwork, tables and chairs, educational DVDs and books, toys and games and other fun Sesame items that are sure to educate and bring joy to children and parents who live on board NAS Meridian. Additionally, residents will have access to a full-service kitchen, large den and two game rooms.

The Sesame Room is available to family housing residents of NAS Meridian from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on selected Saturdays.

The Sesame Rooms project is an extension of Sesame Workshop's "Talk, Listen, Connect" program, a joint effort between TLC and Sesame Street. The program is dedicated to helping military families through multiple challenges, such as deployments, homecomings and changes that occur when a parent comes home.

For more news from Naval Air Station Meridian, visit www.navy.mil/local/nasmeridian/.