Photo By Chad Watkins | Lt. Col. Joseph Andersen, 55th Force Support Squadron commander, reads to Ms. Tarry's...... read more read more
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Members of the 55th Wing leadership witnessed Governor Jim Pillen sign the proclamation designating April as the Month of the Military Child at the state capitol April 10, 2025.
Former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger established the tradition in 1986 to highlight the strength of the youngest members of the total force and to honor their sacrifices.
“April is the Month of the Military Child—and for good reason,” said Col. Mark Howard, 55th Wing commander. “It is a time to pause and reflect not just on the service of our military members, but on the service of their families—especially their children.”
Military children are often asked to shoulder a heavy load. The average military child will move six to nine times before they graduate high school, and many experience the absence of a deployed parent during birthdays, holidays and milestones.
Purple is the official color for the Month of the Military Child.
“Purple isn’t just a nice color—it symbolizes unity,” said Howard. “It’s a blend of all the colors of the military service branches: Army green, the blues of the Air Force, Space Force, Navy and Coast Guard, and Marine red. Together, they create purple—a symbol of joint strength and shared sacrifice. It’s a visible reminder that regardless of branch, we stand together in support of our military children. And we recognize their role, their resilience, and their importance in our community.”
Offutt leaders also attended Papillion-La Vista High School’s Purple Star designation ceremony on April 11, 2025.
Col. Howard joined Chief Master Sgt. Andrew Small, 55th Wing command chief, alongside school personnel to mark the occasion.
A "Purple Star School" designation recognizes schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families, often facing challenges due to frequent relocations and transitions. Military-connected children often experience frequent moves and changes in schools, which can lead to academic and social-emotional challenges. Purple Star Schools help mitigate these challenges by providing targeted support and resources.
“At Offutt Air Force Base, we will continue to stand behind our military families,” said Howard. “We will continue to build partnerships that strengthen our schools, our neighborhoods, and our support systems. Because we know that when our families thrive—our mission thrives.”
| Date Taken: | 04.17.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.24.2025 13:39 |
| Story ID: | 495556 |
| Location: | LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 14 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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