FORT BRAGG, N.C. – While the residents of Fort Bragg practiced social distancing in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, they were greeted by the familiar face of the Easter Bunny at the head of a trail of emergency vehicles.
“This was just one way that we can help bring some happiness to the kids on post,” said Capt. Kenneth Harrison, the man wearing the Easter bunny costume. “Our lives have all been interrupted due to the Coronavirus, but we can’t forget that the children and families in our community need examples of positivity.”
Soldiers of the 16th Military Police Brigade, the 82nd Airborne Division, and Personnel from Fort Bragg’s Emergency Services, did just that as they drove the Easter Bunny in a tour across Fort Bragg, N.C., Apr. 11.
The purpose of the tour was to raise the morale of the installation in time for Easter while also adhering the guidelines of Fort Bragg’s COVID-19 response.
Harrison, who currently serves as a chaplain with 82nd Airborne Division, said he received the idea for the Easter Bunny visit from the organization “Protestant Women of the Chapel”, and before long Soldiers from all across the installation were involved.
“When this started, the idea was only do the event with my personal truck,” said Harrison. “In the end the Easter Bunny was escorted by both Military Police and Firemen.”
Maneuvering throughout the base, the holiday convoy made its way through a collection of neighborhoods while using sirens to encourage families to come out to their yards and wave to the Easter Bunny.
The Easter Bunny and the personnel involved in the tour all wore face masks while driving through the neighborhoods to encourage families to wear proper protective equipment and to spread a little humor.
While the Easter Bunny drove by, Ivan Moreno, a seven-year-old Fort Bragg resident, and his family raised a home-made sign that included a special image of a rainbow-colored egg.
“I thought seeing the Easter Bunny was going to be cool, but it was actually epic,” said Moreno only moments after the parade passed.
