April: Celebrating the Month of the Military Child
The Month of the Military Child is an annual observance held each April, dedicated to acknowledging and honoring the sacrifices of children in military families.
This tradition began in 1986, thanks to the initiative of then Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, who wanted to ensure that the contributions and resilience of military children were recognized.
Military families endure frequent relocations, the difficulties of changing schools and friendships, and the emotional impact of having parents deployed.
The creation of the Month of the Military Child was meant to remind people about the role of military-dependent children within the armed forces community, highlight the challenges of military life and family separations, and express gratitude for the support and sacrifices military families make.
Military children serve our nation through the support of their parents. Around the globe, military bases, educational institutions, and local communities participate in this annual observance, organizing a variety of special events and activities designed to celebrate these young heroes.
One key element of the month is “Purple Up! Day,” when people wear purple as a symbol of their support for military children. Through these efforts, the Month of the Military Child serves as an essential reminder of the strength and sacrifices of these extraordinary children.
Month of the Military Child Activities
What can you initiate or take part in on a local level during the Month of the Military Child? Depending on location some or all of the below may be worth trying or initiating during April:
- As discussed above, Purple Up! has been a recurring feature for many years. It encourages everyone to wear purple to show support for military children. Schools, military installations, and communities participate.
- Schools with military-connected students often hold special assemblies and recognition ceremonies and create “Walls of Honor” displaying photos of military children and their families.
- Teachers often incorporate lessons or activities that help classmates understand the experiences of military children, such as discussions about moving, deployments, and resilience. Students might create thank-you cards or artwork for military children.
- Military parents or veterans have been invited to schools to share their experiences and perspectives with students.
- Art, essay, and poetry contests centered on the theme of being a military child have been organized for students to express their feelings and experiences.
- Local organizations and businesses often collaborate with military bases or schools to host events or offer special recognition to military children.
- Students and community members have participated in collecting items to send to deployed service members, often with messages of support from military children included.
- Virtual events and activities have become more common, including online story times, virtual meet-and-greets, and online resource sharing.
Celebrate at Home
As a military family, you can celebrate your own military children at home. Talk to your kids about their experiences as military children, look at photo albums of your years as a military family, and host a fun “Military Kids” photoshoot to remember the year.
Look for Military Discounts
There are quite a few military discounts just for kids, from clothing stores to toy stores! Here is our Military Discounts Your Kids Will Love article to find out where you can get a military discount for your kids.
RELATED:
- Resources for Parents and Military Families
- Financial Assistance for Your Military Child’s Remote Learning
- Organizations That Help Military Kids and Families
- National Veteran and Military Families Month
- Childcare Options for Military Families
- Military Gets Free Assistance Finding Child Care
- Resiliency Programs for Military Children
- VA Benefits for Family Members, Survivors, and Family Caregivers
- Joining Forces 2.0: Serving America’s Military Families
About the author
Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.
