One of the best perks of being a military family are attending the free shows that the USO sends on tour every year.

While many of the artists are intended for the adults, the USO has a very special relationship with some characters who live on the most famous street in the world.

The Sesame Street characters have been touring military bases since 2008, dispensing heartfelt advice and a sense of security to military kids around the world. These cuddly little muppets have taken on the toughest topics including deployment and serious combat injury. These fuzzy friends have stood strong for military children when many adults have broken down.

This year Elmo, Rosita, Grover and Cookie Monster will introduce kids to their friend, Katie, who is upset after learning that her family has received PCS orders. In their typical, fuzzy, sing-a-long, feel good Sesame Street format, her monster friends will have her embracing the opportunities for new experiences and new friends in no time.

My oldest children were treated to a visit by Elmo and crew during one of my husband's trips to Iraq. It was a bright, fun-filled moment during a deployment that wasn't going so well. I will be forever thankful to that band of merry monsters for making my kids laugh with glee.

For more information about Sesame Street's unique support of military children, please visit, http://www.uso.org/sesame/

To find out when Elmo and his friends will be swinging into a base near you, check their current tour schedule, which is rounding out the fall months in Japan and South Korea.