By Maureen Zug

“Purple Up”  for military children during the month of April.  Purple is the color which represents the resiliency of the military child.

Launched in April, 1986, The Month of the Military Child recognizes the flexibility and strength of children within  military families.  Former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger instituted this month-long  celebration to strengthen military families and boost overall morale. As a military WWII vet with two children, Weinberger recognized the impact of military life on children who have parent(s) in service.

On average, military children move with their parent(s) every 2 to 3 years. This also means that they must change schools to accommodate new service assignments. By the time the average military child graduates from high school, they have moved 9 times.

 Other adjustments for children: enduring parental separations, establishing new friendships, learning new languages, currencies, cultures and even foodways. Currently, there are 1.6  million underage U.S. military dependents living throughout the world.  The month of April  provides opportunities for households with children to participate in special family-centered activities, both in the U.S. and overseas.

The American Red Cross & the Military Child

Through our Services to the Armed Forces programs, the American Red Cross supports all branches of the armed services and their families 24/7 from enlistment through retirement phases of their careers. By providing year- round programs specifically created for children 5 to 15 years of age, The Red Cross’s Hero Care Network acknowledges that everyone in the military family serves.  Here are some examples of programs geared for the military child:

• Virtual mental health & wellness courses for families
• In-Person resiliency programs
• Reconnection workshops covering parental separations & returns, moving to new schools, establishing new friendships, etc.
• Red Cross Clubs.

We salute military families and their children with more than  “Thank you for your service ” and invite them to join Red Cross activities and programs year round.

To access the Hero Care Network, visit redcross.org/saf, download the Red Cross Hero Care App, or call a Hero Care specialist at 1-877-272-7337.