ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Huntington Middle School has the second highest middle school military population in Houston County. To honor that, the school held a pep rally to recognize those children.

It was an emotional day April 10 for both Tammy Love, business and computer science teacher at HMS, as well as Col. Dawn Lancaster, 78th Air Base Wing vice commander.

During the pledge of allegiance at the flagpole, Love spoke of the sacrifices military personnel make not only in terms of their service, but their families make as well.

"On average, a military child will go to six to nine schools in their life," said Lancaster to the assembly of sixth- seventh-and eighth-grade students.

She was choked up when she thanked the military children for the sacrifices made in order to keep the military up and running.

Kayleigh Richardson, 14, said she has had to move around many times.

"It is kind of hard, knowing your family all has to move and knowing your dad or mom is fighting for you and making you safe," the eighth-grader said.

At the end of the pep rally, which also included motivational dances and a speech for the upcoming tests, the 100 military children were given dog tags, provided by the Georgia 4H Operation Military Kid.

More than 2,500 students in Houston County are children of active duty military members. About 7,000 students who are in Houston County have parents who work on the base, according to Renee Daughtry, school liaison officer.

Daughtry handed out the tags, which read, "Team Robins families serve 2, thank you 4 your service. Robins AFB, GA."

"We really appreciate all you do to let your parents keep the rest of us safe," Daughtry told the military children.