4/8/2011 - Nicole Goetz, of Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., responds to interview questions during Operation Homefront's 2011 Military Child of the Year award ceremony April 7, 2011, in Arlington, Va. Ms. Goetz is the Air Force's award recipient. She is the daughter of Chief Master Sgt. Michael Goetz, who traveled here from Afghanistan to see his daughter get her award in person. Ms. Goetz volunteered at the local youth center, her church, veterans and nursing homes, and joined a variety of high school clubs. She also organized 21 local schools to create and send hundreds of homemade Christmas cards, cookies and care packages to troops overseas. A committee of active-duty service members, family readiness support assistants, teachers, military mothers and community members chose the award recipients. The winners received $5,000 and a trip to Washington for the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Tiffany Trojca)

4/8/2011 - Nicole Goetz, of Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., holds up an oversized check during Operation Homefront's 2011 Military Child of the Year award ceremony April 7, 2011, in Arlington, Va. Ms. Goetz is the Air Force's award recipient. She is the daughter of Chief Master Sgt. Michael Goetz, who traveled here from Afghanistan to see his daughter get her award in person. Ms. Goetz volunteered at the local youth center, her church, veterans and nursing homes, and joined a variety of high school clubs. She also organized 21 local schools to create and send hundreds of homemade Christmas cards, cookies and care packages to troops overseas. A committee of active-duty service members, family readiness support assistants, teachers, military mothers and community members chose the award recipients. The winners received $5,000 and a trip to Washington for the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Tiffany Trojca)