Purple Up: month of the military child

AYASE, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

04.01.2018

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew C. Duncker    

Naval Air Facility Atsugi

While the month of April is largely known for Earth Day, in the uniformed services community we also celebrate another important resource that is beneficial to our future, children. Month of the Military Child (MotMC) is a Department of Defense (DOD) wide initiative underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community.
MotM was introduced in 1986 by former Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger to recognize the people that play an unseen part in the lives of service members - children.
“This month is to recognize and thank children from military families for the sacrifices they make living the military lifestyle,” said Peggye Wilson, vice principle of Shirley Lanham Elementary School (SLES). “Military connected youth face unique circumstances living the military lifestyle, which can be challenging for them more than those who haven’t grown up in this community.”
Celina Mathews-Stern, the New Parent Support Specialist at Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Atsugi says that it is very significant that we recognize and celebrate the lives of military children due to the challenges they face.
“Children of the military…(live) an atypical lifestyle for a child. Military children frequently contend with parental separation due to deployments, the dynamics and challenges of reintegration, multiple relocations, an almost endless ebb and flow of friendships and everyday reminders that come with the hazards of their parent’s service,” said Mathews-Stern. “It is significant to celebrate and recognize the military child because despite the disadvantages for them, they are an integral part of the military culture and in sustaining the longevity of duty for many of our service members. Our military children provide joy, purpose and overall lend to the health and welfare of the military family and our nation’s fighting forces.”
As part of MotMC, SLES will hold “Purple Up Day” on April 13 to honor all children of uniform service members. On this day children are encouraged to wear the official color of MotM, purple.
“Purple symbolizes all branches of the military,” said Wilson. “Coast Guard blue, Army green, Navy blue, Marine Corps. red, and Air Force blue. We believe that when a military member serves, their whole family serves, too. That includes the littlest heroes, military kids.”
In addition to “Purple Up Day”, FFSC and SLES have different theme days and activities planned throughout the month for the Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi community and other bases in the area to participate and engage in with one another.
“FFSC supports month of the military child by hosting an annual event called KidzFest, a free, family oriented event, open to all local military and military affiliated children on April 14,” said Mathews-Stern. “KidzFest includes drum performances by the Taiko Kids, cup-stacking demonstrations by Child & Youth Program talent, arts and crafts, bounce houses, fitness activities, games, giveaways, hands-on interactive experiences, face painting, info booths and lots of fun.”
SLES will hold different theme days including wearing an outfit to represent a family’s branch of service and another that represents a family’s hometown in the U.S.A which will lead up to a parade around NAF Atsugi on “Purple Up Day” said Wilson.
Month of the Military child is a time when we can formally recognize and honor the strength and sacrifices made by children in the uniformed services community. This one month allows to us to show appreciation to the families for their moral support and encouragement and let them know that we appreciate everything they do to help Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Guardsmen in their everyday lives on military bases or on deployment, Purple up!

• Date Taken: 04.01.2018
• Date Posted: 12.04.2018 01:09
• Story ID: 302121
• Location: AYASE, KANAGAWA, JP