Hearing impaired Mark Williams, otherwise called 'Batch the Clown', from Lennie's Clown Service, paints the face of a boy from Martha's House, a Mustard Seed charity, while Second Lieutenant Mitsy Lewis from the Jamaica Defence Force Third Battalion, Jamaica Regiment (National Reserve), looks on. The battalion staged its family fun day and fundraiser on Saturday at Curphey Barracks, Up Park Camp. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

Soldiers from the Jamaica Defence Force laid down their arms on the weekend to fête disabled and disadvantaged children from the Mustard Seed Communities.

The lean, mean, fighting machines from the nation's army were easily disarmed by the loveable children. An entire battalion was no match for the 30 children originally from Martha's House, a Mustard Seed charity on North Street in central Kingston.

The children were the specially invited guests of the Third Battalion, Jamaica Regiment (National Reserve) at its family fun day and fund-raiser at Curphey Barracks, Up Park Camp.

Martha's House was home to the children until it was destroyed by a blaze late last month.

The children escaped with little more than their lives, as most of their belongings were destroyed. Thanks to generous donations from corporate Jamaica, the children have received much-needed help.

Well-earned time

The fun day was a well-earned time of fun and frolic for the youths who were traumatised by the life-threatening ordeal. They were treated to face-painting, the antics of a clown, merry-go-round and a trampoline. They also watched movies. A magician was scheduled to be part of the package but The Gleaner did not catch a glimpse of the illusionist who appeared to be doing a good job with his disappearing act.

Second Lieutenant Mitsy Lewis, from the army's Third Battalion, was among the soldiers smitten by the affable children.

"It is an outreach and the day is on us," said Lewis, who described herself as a lover of children.

The soldiers, who are trained for combat, were still dressed in fatigues but showed the children their softer side, which does not get much time to come out when they patrol the streets with weapons in hand.

"Almost all of us have that gentle side, contrary to popular belief," Lewis said.

Lieutenant Colonel Euken Mills, commanding officer of the Third Battalion, also surrendered to the amiable youngsters.

"Our thing today was to fête them, feed them and provide rides."

He added: "I spoke with them. They had a whale of time. They enjoyed the rides, the face-painting and everything."

Mills explained that the fun day was staged to raise funds to assist the welfare needs of members of the battalion and to help finance the unit's outreach projects.

tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com