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Month of the Military Child

Month of the Military Child
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Alex Weatherford

Senior Associate

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that April is celebrated as the Month of the Military Child. While our military personnel deserve year-round recognition, the month of April is meant to honor military families for the daily sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome and to thank military children for their service, recognize their incredible strength, and offer them support in facing their unique challenges. Maintaining a connection with the community is crucial to soften the impact of the various challenges faced by a military child.

The Month of the Military Child was established in 1986 by then Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger. Weinberger himself was a World War II veteran and a father of two children. He witnessed the challenges military children face as they navigate an everchanging home life, in addition to dealing with the difficulties of having parents who may be placed in dangerous situations.

According to the Department of Defense’s 2019 Demographics Profile of the Military Community, over a third of all active-duty service members have children. Those active-duty families represent 977,191 children of all ages.

President Joe Biden honored military families in his March 2021 “Proclamation on Month of the Military Child, 2021,” which, in part, said “Military-connected children are strong and resilient, and we must match their strength with a commitment to provide the full support of our communities and our Government.”

At Rapp & Krock, several of us are the parents, children, and spouses of service members in the various branches of the military. Personally, I feel great pride in my father’s service. Sergeant Clarence E. Weatherford was a Marine and was awarded a Purple Heart and Silver Star for, “His outstanding courage, initiative and devotion to duty…in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.” For the actions of people like my father and military children around the world facing exceptional challenges in their everyday life, it is a small act of gratitude that we take some time in April to remember their sacrifice.

The Director of the Department of Defense, Tom Brady, published a message in honor of this important day:

Department of Defense VIdeo

Please take the time to recognize the challenging situation military children are placed in and the sacrifices made by their families. “Purple Up” is used over the course of the month of April as purple is the color used to represent all of the branches of the military. The Military Intestate Children’s Compact Commission has a list of ideas on how to “Purple Up” and celebrate the military child: https://mic3.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/4-2021-Purple-Up-Ideas.pdf. Please join us in remembering all of the children of those who have served and currently are serving in our military.

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