Editor, April marks the nation’s “Month of the Military Child” — a time to honor youth and their service to our country. On Tuesday, April 15, as a visible way to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices, the public is invited to “Purple Up! For Military Kids.” Everyone in the community is encouraged to wear purple shirts, scarves, shoes, buttons and pants. If it’s purple, or can be turned purple, make it happen.
Today, there are nearly 2 million military-connected children. As students, they move and change schools about three times more frequently than their civilian classmates. They live with the challenges presented by frequent moves, parental deployments and a host of life transitions that include reintegration and, for too many, the return of a profoundly changed parent.
More than 900,000 of these children have had a parent deploy multiple times, and more than 44,700 children are living with a parent’s wound, injury, illness or death. For most military-connected children, they have known the meaning of war and felt the impacts of it on their families. In their own way, they, too, serve our country.
The month of April is a perfect time to pause and acknowledge their sacrifices, resilience and strength of character. Whether it is through special activities and events or just a few kind words spoken to a military-connected child, we encourage everyone to seek out opportunities to express appreciation for these remarkable children.
We believe that our country’s future depends on our collaborative effort to grow qualified, well-educated citizens who will selflessly serve and contribute to our nation’s best interest. As we look to the future, these military-connected children and youth are worthy of recognition now.
Share photos of you and your family, friends and co-workers all “purpled up” on the Military Child Education Coalition Facebook page or email them to tmoore@liberty.k12.ga.us. Let others see how you honor Liberty County military kids.
The Military Child Education Coalition is the Liberty County School System’s resource for advocacy, education, support and resource services for military students enrolled in the district’s schools. For more information about our services, call military student consultant Tabeter Moore at 876-3038.

— Tabeter Moore, MPC
Military Child Education Coalition
Liberty County School System