Children from Joint Base Lewis-McChord received quite a salute this past Sunday.

The children of local service members don't choose to serve in the military, but they do feel and shoulder many of the sacrifices and burdens that come with their parent's service.

Sunday, Feb. 16 was their day to be honored.

"This is just a great, great event," enthused Sgt. Maj. Francisco Acosta, 9th Finance Company, said moments after his son finished singing karaoke.

"My wife told me about this this morning, so I told my son to get ready and come with me."

Several thousand JBLM parents and their children attended a Salute to Military Kids Day at the Pierce College Fort Steilacoom campus hosted by The Ranger and Northwest Airlifter newspapers and sponsored by Diono.

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We live-blogged The Salute To Military Kids Day

>>> Kids attending the Salute to Military Kids Day had a great time chasing Justin Wright's indoor kite. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

During the five-hour celebration, children participated in free activities ranging from bouncy houses, a petting zoo and crafts to tricycle races, a show in the college's planetarium and car seat inspections.

>>> Phoebe Gonzalez offers tentative hands to two donkeys while her mother, Caroline Gonzales, watches. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

The college made its state-of-the-art planetarium and its Health Education Center available for the event.

"We are just very happy to be here," Carrie Spencer, a volunteer for Diono, a car seat safety company, said as she inspected Drew and Stephanie Sims' car seats.

Sgt. Sims, 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, could not have been more pleased.

"This is just a wonderful event for the children," as Spencer and her team inspected the Sims' three car seats. "It is really nice when military kids are recognized for what they do."

>>> Ella Couceiro has her hair done by Alexandra Newman while her little sister, Skylar Couceiro, sits on her lap. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

One of the biggest hits of the day was the Little Princess section that hosted a Princess Party.

For most of the little girls who attended the event, this was a very big deal.

Little girls had the opportunity to have their hair styled and put on "dress up" clothes before posing with adult princesses from A Simple Wish, a company that hosts parties and photography for children.

"Our daughter got up this morning all set to be here," said Pfc. Jonathan Nichols, 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, as Emma Nichols posed with Tanna Evans.

"She could not wait to get here; this day is a dream come true for her."

Additional sponsors for Sunday's event included Seattle Children's Hospital and Washington's G.E.T.

>>> Tyler Poandl and his mother, Amber Poandl, watch intently as Kimberly Collins makes him a balloon sword. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

>>> Thousands of parents and their children from JBLM attended a Salute to Military Kids Day at Pierce College's Fort Steilacoom campus. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

>>> Sgt. Maj. Francisco Acosta videos his son, Alexander Acosta, as he sings outside the planetarium at Pierce College. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

>>> Chloe Reid is in artistic concentration as her father, Maj. Eric Reid, holds her. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

>>> Carrie Spencer gave a thumbs up to the "excellent" inspection her car seat received from representatives of Diono, a car seat safety company. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson