Wendy Reinhardt
2019-2020 National Veterans & Family Support Ambassador
April is Month of the Military Child
April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community. Sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy, the Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome.
Wear purple on Purple Up Day – Encourage your Auxiliary members to wear purple on “Purple Up Day” (April 22) and share photos of themselves on social media wearing purple and use the hashtag #purpleup. Wearing purple is a visible way for everyone to show support and thank military youth for their strength and sacrifices. Check out other ways to participate while practicing social distancing here: https://militarybenefits.info/month-of-the-military-child/
To learn more about Month of the Military Child, log on to https://www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/Military-Child-Month.cfm and check out www.militaryonesource.mil/. Both links will provide you with some awesome activities to share with the military youth of your community.
April is also the month for Auxiliary Year-End reporting.
Now is the time to start working on your Veterans & Family Support Year-End report. Check with your respective Department Veteran & Family Support Chairman for your Department deadline and year-end form.
May is the month for Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Armed Forces Day and MemorialDay
Military Spouse Appreciation Day is a day to honor the contributions and sacrifices made by military spouses. It is celebrated the Friday before Mother’s Day (May 8, 2020).
Armed Forces Day is a day to honor those currently serving in our nation’s military. It is celebrated the third Saturday in May (May 16, 2020).
Memorial Day is a day to honor and recognize the sacrifices made by those who have died to protect our freedom. It is crucial to always remember these brave heroes. Memorial Day is observed the last Monday in May (May 25, 2020).
Encourage your Auxiliaries to include our first responders in their Memorial Day observances. First responders are often veterans who elected to join the police, fire or EMS department because they felt the need to continue their service to their community or county.
As a family we (you and I) along with our Auxiliaries, need to continue our support for every veteran, service member, military child and military spouse in America. We need to be active, be present and be there for our veterans, service members and their families.
There are numerous ways to show appreciation and commemorate these days while practicing social distancing. A few ideas include:
- Fly the American Flag.
- Make signs to hang on your door thanking service members and veterans.
- Hang a “Buddy”® Poppy wreath on your front door
- Have food delivered or leave groceries at their door.
- Mow a veteran’s lawn or do other yardwork for them.
- Send a card or letter to a hospitalized/homebound veteran.
- Call service members and veterans to say thank you.
- Place flowers and Flags at gravesites.
- Share what your veteran and/or freedom means to you on social media.
Thank you for all you do to promote this awesome Program! Mahalo for “Serving Our Veterans with Aloha” this year!
