contributed by Melissa Lucas, senior staff writer
Nearly two million military children have experienced a parental deployment in the past 20 years, and there are currently 1.2 million children of active-duty military service members in the US. On average, military families move three times more often than non-military families and most of their children attend public schools, meaning these kids spend much of their time with children in very different circumstances than themselves. This is why, in 1986, Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger designated April as Month of the Military Child.
Every April, military bases, cities and school districts around the world honor these unsung American heroes with special events just for them. Sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy, the Month of the Military Child is a time to underscore the important role military children play in the armed forces community.
A Military child manages to bloom anywhere the winds carry them. They are strong and resilient. Their roots are hardy, sewn deeply in military culture, planted quickly and surely. Military children fly in into new adventures in new lands with new friends at a moment’s notice. This is why the dandelion, which puts down roots almost anywhere and is nearly impossible to destroy, is the official flower of the military child.
Purple Up! For Military Children is a day within the Month of the Military Child to go all out in a show of support for these incredible kids.
For the most part, the Month of the Military Child 2022 and Purple Up! are being celebrated within military communities, but anyone can take time to recognize our nation’s military children. This year, Purple Up! Day will be celebrated on Friday, April 15, 2022. Since this is not a national holiday, there are no school closings, days off work, or post office closures, but that doesn’t mean we can’t recognize it.
The Military Family section of our blog is a great place to learn about ways to support military children. You may like 11 Ideas to Maintain Connection During Deployment, Tips for Helping Children Before Deployment, and 10 Ways to Support Military Families.
During April’s Month of the Military Child, and every day, Military Connection celebrates these unsung heroes for who they are: unique, brave, resilient future history makers. Thank you for all that you do.
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