As someone deeply appreciative and connected to military life, this month and day holds incredible meaning.
My office is unique in that each of us shares a special tie to the Month of the Military Child and Purple Up! For Military Kids Day. My Chief of Staff is a military child, my legislative aide is a mom of three military children and serves on the board of the State Council on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, and I am a mother of four military children and a grandmother to ten grandchildren who have or had at least one parent in uniform.
Service is a cornerstone of our lives and of the work we do on behalf of Alaskans. Even, though my legislative district does not include a military base, many military families commute daily to the Mat-Su Valley, and we welcome them wholeheartedly. Our schools, churches, and communities are stronger because of their presence and participation.
Since 1986, April has been recognized as the Month of the Military Child, thanks to a vision initiated by then–Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger. This important observance shines a light on the strength, resilience, and quiet sacrifices made by military-connected children—those who grow up with one or both parents serving in the Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard across all branches of the United States Armed Forces.
Military children live lives filled with extraordinary circumstances. On average, military kids move six to nine times during their childhood, often across states or even countries. They may attend three times as many schools as their civilian peers, disrupting both academic consistency and social development. Frequent family separations—sometimes for months or years at a time—are a normal part of life, as are the emotional strains of having a parent deployed to a conflict zone. Many military families live far from extended relatives, which can compound feelings of isolation during hard times.
And yet, through these challenges, military-connected children often develop profound resilience, cultural awareness, and a deep sense of duty and pride in the sacrifices their families make for our nation.
One of the most visible and unifying moments of this month is Purple Up! For Military Kids Day, observed every year on April 15th. On this day, communities are encouraged to wear purple—a color that blends the colors for each of the branches of the military by combining Air Force blue, Army green, Navy blue, Marine red, and Coast Guard blue. It’s a simple but powerful way to show collective support and gratitude for military children everywhere.
We are reminded during this month that military children, though often overlooked, are an essential part of the strength of our Armed Forces. Their stability, courage, and understanding allow their parents to serve our nation with focus and honor.
So this April, not just in fashion, but in solidarity. Let us raise our voices to say thank you to the children who serve in their own quiet, faithful way. Their sacrifices matter. Their strength inspires us. And their stories deserve to be told.
