Whoever said there was no such thing as a free ride didn't go to the military appreciation day yesterday at the Central O'ahu Carnival.

Neither rain nor mud puddles daunted the enthusiasm of some 350 military families who were part of the Wounded Warrior and Blue Star Card programs and were offered four hours of free rides, a free hot dog and a soda.

"The community is doing a lot to help the soldiers cope," said Sgt. Pedro DeLeon, who was wounded during training a month before his unit shipped out to Iraq last year. "This is great. It helps, and is a good opportunity for us to come out and have fun."

Yesterday's event was part of a weekend carnival produced by E.K. Fernandez Shows and the city. Pre-registered military members and their families obtained wristbands that allowed them full access to the dozen rides.

The goal of the community-support program is to promote morale, welfare and quality of life issues for wounded or injured U.S. armed forces personnel recuperating in Hawai'i. The program also is extended to their families.

The program, located at Schofield Barracks and Marine Corps Base Hawai'i, was modeled after the Department of Defense's definition of a "wounded warrior," which includes any military member treated for post-9/11 combat wounds or any injuries requiring recuperation.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann yesterday shook hands and received words of thanks while dodging the puddles and raindrops. Having the carnival for the first time in the Central O'ahu Regional Park was a great venue for the community and the military men and women, he said.

"With the carnival in Central O'ahu, they didn't have to drive that far," Hannemann said. "I really appreciate the military. The free wristbands allow families ... to enjoy the rides. It's our way of saying thank you to the military."

Scott Fernandez, president of E.K. Fernandez Shows, said that offering the families time to enjoy the rides served as a way to give back to military men and women. "They do what they do, and I can't think of a better way to give back," Fernandez said. "This is about them, not about us."

With five kids between them, cadre workers Staff Sgt. Shantelle Kelly and Staff Sgt. Das'Chara Blackmon said the military appreciation time at the carnival was a great way to put some laughter in the lives of the soldiers and their families.

Cadre workers help the soldiers with appointments and hook them up with various resources.

"They're hurt and they're here, and their friends aren't," Kelly said. "They're lonely. It's a hard time for them."