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Get ready to honor and appreciate the resilience and sacrifices of military children during the Month of the Military Child, which starts on April 1. This month-long celebration was first established in 1986 by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, as a way to recognize the important role that military children play in supporting their families' service to our country. From enduring frequent moves and separations from loved ones, to adapting to new environments and schools, these brave kids truly deserve our recognition and support. So let's take this month to show them some extra love and appreciation!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1986</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of the Month</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Month of the Military Child was first established by Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger to honor military children.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2001</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Increased Attention Post 9/11</div><div class='timeline-text'>Following the events of 9/11, public attention and support grew towards military families, amplifying the significance of the Month of the Military Child.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2009</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Purple Up! Initiative</div><div class='timeline-text'>The "Purple Up! For Military Kids" initiative began, encouraging people to wear purple to honor and support military children.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2011</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Military Children's Education Concerns </div><div class='timeline-text'>Congress holds hearings addressing concerns about the quality and consistency of education for military children due to frequent relocations.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Expansion of Purple Up! Initiative</div><div class='timeline-text'>The "Purple Up! For Military Kids" initiative grows to a global scale with activities in U.S. military installations worldwide.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Virtual Celebrations in Pandemic</div><div class='timeline-text'>Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, celebrations for the Month of the Military Child move to virtual platforms, promoting online recognition and support.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a care package for a military child</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some small gifts, snacks, and handwritten notes of appreciation, and put together a care package for a military child. This is a thoughtful way to show support and bring a smile to their face.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a game night for military families</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a game night for military families in your community. This is a great way to bring families together and have some fun while also showing support for their sacrifices.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create artwork or write letters for deployed parents</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Encourage children to create artwork or write letters for their deployed parents. These heartfelt messages can be a source of comfort and joy for military children during their parent's absence.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a parade or event honoring military families</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check your local community for parades or events honoring military families during the Month of the Military Child. Attending these events is a great way to show your support and appreciation for their sacrifices.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate to organizations supporting military families</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Research and donate to organizations that support military families, such as the National Military Family Association or Operation Homefront. This is a meaningful way to give back and show your gratitude for their service.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings awareness to the sacrifices military children make</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Month of the Military Child is a time to recognize and honor the sacrifices that military children make. They have to deal with frequent moves, deployments of their parents, and other challenges that come with being part of a military family. It's important to acknowledge and support these children for everything they go through.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It highlights the strength and resilience of military children</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Military children often have to adapt quickly to new environments and handle difficult emotions when their parent is deployed. Month of the Military Child celebrates their bravery and strength in the face of these challenges. It also serves as a reminder that they are an important part of our military community.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It provides resources and support for military families</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>During this month, organizations and communities come together to provide resources, activities, and support for military families. This can include educational events, family fun days, and counseling services. Month of the Military Child helps to create a network of support for these families and ensures that their needs are recognized and addressed.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There are around 1.2 million military children of active duty members worldwide</h3><p class='facts-content'>According to the Department of Defense, there are approximately 1.2 million children of active duty military members worldwide. This impressive number emphasizes the importance of the Month of the Military Child.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Military families move 10 times more than civilian families</h3><p class='facts-content'>On average, military families relocate and start life in new cities or countries every two to three years, roughly 10 times more often than civilian families. This constant moving highlights the resilience and adaptability of military children.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Purple Symbolizes All Branches of the Military</h3><p class='facts-content'>In the "Purple Up! For Military Kids" initiative, the color purple represents the combined colors of all branches of the military– Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red, and Navy blue.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Military child faces unique educational challenges</h3><p class='facts-content'>Due to constant relocation, military children have to constantly adapt to new curriculum standards, fluctuating extracurricular opportunities, making new friends, and often transition between homeschooling, public school, and Department of Defense schools.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>April was chosen for a symbolic reason</h3><p class='facts-content'>The month of April was chosen to commemorate military children because it symbolizes renewal and resilience, two qualities that are notably seen in military children who constantly face change and uncertainty with bravery and positivity.</p></div></div>
Month of the Military Child is celebrated on April 1 every year. In 2024 Month of the Military Child will occur on a Monday.
2023
Apr 1
Saturday
2024
Apr 1
Monday
2025
Apr 1
Tuesday
2026
Apr 1
Wednesday
2027
Apr 1
Thursday
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