Many children in America have military parents. Holidays often revolve around veterans due to the many health issues they have after serving their country. Month of the Military Child, however, is about the children and the sacrifices they make. This month is about showing them appreciation.

The Month of the Military Child celebrates military families and their children’s sacrifices while they are overseas serving our country. These children are often called “military brats”, which they use as a badge to show their pride. They travel with their parents and learn from them. This holiday was established as part of the legacy left by Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger (a Republican who served in the White House during Ronald Reagan‚Äôs presidency in 1986 and worked with high-initiative projects for America).

The Month of the Military Child encourages military children to wear purple to school and other places they go during this month. Schools are encouraged to wear purple to school by the Department of Defense Education Activity. This is to show respect for military children and their sacrifices. DoDEA hopes that it will support programs that help military families by providing them with services they can use no matter where they may be. Because this holiday is all about the children, there are often contests for kids and awards for the same sacrifices.

The Month of the Military Child focuses on military children who have to deal with more hardships than other kids. Help support military family services in your area during this month so that families have the resources they need without their loved ones. So that military children know how much they are appreciated, help fund a school contest. Tell a child you care about to give you a gift and to say thank you. Share this holiday on social media using the hashtag #monthofthemilitarychild so that way friends and family members can do something of their own to appreciate the military kids that sacrifice their parents to a national cause.