The following press release was posted to the SA Forums. I think it would be a great idea for us to contact local news media, city mayors, and state governors and request that April be designated Month of the Military Child.
April marks a very special month in the lives of the military families. Soldiers’ Angels joins the US Department of Defense in recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child, a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and challenges they overcome. Secretary of Defense, Caspar Weinberger, established April as the Month of the Military Child in 1986, underscoring the importance of military children and their role in military families.
“Military families learn to be flexible, but extended hours and long deployments often prove to be difficult for America’s military children. I feel this month provides those of us (here) a time to celebrate the unique lifestyles of our military youth and the adjustments that families make during deployments and wartime.” says Patti Patton-Bader, founder of Soldiers’ Angels.
“Being a parent, it breaks my heart to leave my wife and kids behind when I am called to (deploy),” said Cpt. Mark McEvers NDARNG HHC 164 ENG BN SECFOR. “But that is what we do when we are called. We have sworn to support and defend and that is what we do. Our families know this, respect this, and stand by us. When we deploy forward and leave that hole in the family, it’s important for me to know that the nation has not forgotten about my family, and I am grateful that they are honored and supported this month.”
These children make sacrifices and serve their country as much as anyone in uniform does, quietly shouldering part of the burden, making their mom or dad understand that what they are doing is important. Military parents often have to miss holidays and special occasions, and children are left home to worry while parents go on difficult missions. Active duty military families also have to move every two or three years, making the children uproot, change schools and say goodbye to friends. Because military children have to transition and adapt a lot, they gain great life experience and maturity at a young age. April serves as a reminder for military families that there is support available to them with resources to help.
“I don’t think our children are told often enough how important and supportive it is to us when we come home from a difficult day and we see them smile,” Lt. Dan Murphy, North Dakota National Guard JFHQ Deputy Public Information Officer said. “It is my children (who) give me the energy and desire to put this uniform on each day to protect and defend this great nation for their future way of life.”
Soldiers’ Angels encourages the nation to stand up and support the military families in their surrounding area by getting involved in a variety of ways. Throughout the month of April, the military will be hosting special programs and events to salute military children, to include, carnivals, health screening for children, youth talent shows, and more. Please contact your local military facility to see how you can best utilize your time and talent to show your appreciation during the Month of the Military Child. To all of the military children in our nation- thank you for your service to our country, you are a very important part of our freedom.
Soldiers’ Angels currently supports tens of thousands of American service members stationed wherever the American flag is raised. Soldiers’ Angels is dedicated in supporting the military during and after their deployment. In the time honored tradition of civilian support of American soldiers, Soldiers’ Angels sponsors programs which provide support to American soldiers and their families. Soldiers’ Angels’ programs include first responder packs, support, and laptop computers to wounded soldiers who are receiving treatment at American military hospitals; care packages, letters, and support to deployed soldiers; armored blankets to military ambulances; items shipped for deployed soldiers to give children in the war zone; and memorial trees for the families of soldiers who have died in the service of their country. There are several ways to support our troops through Soldiers’ Angels, for more information please go to our national website www.soldiersangels.org or contact Soldiers’ Angels at (615)676-0239 or soldiersangels @ gmail.com.
