Purple Up Day encourages the public to wear purple on Friday, April 16, 2021 to show their support for military children in their community.

For the past 35 years, DoD has honored military children in April
by David Vergun, DOD News
Every April since 1986, the Defense Department has celebrated the Month of the Military Child.
“Alongside many service members are brave military children who make significant contributions and sacrifices for family and country while dealing with the challenges of military life,’’ said Patricia ‘’Patty’’ Montes Barron, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy.
One of the challenges faced by military children is the fact that military families move on average every two or three years, causing impacts that include changing schools and friends.
The department and military services are committed to celebrating and supporting these children to ensure they and their parents thrive — not only during the Month of the Military Child, but throughout the year, Barron said.
“Each of you play a unique and invaluable role in your family and in the overall military community,” she said, adding that there are more than 1.6 million military children.
Dr. Kelly Blasko, counseling psychologist and lead of Military Kids Connect at the Defense Health Agency’s Connected Health branch, said, ‘’Military kids are the cornerstone of military families worldwide. Helping ensure their health and mental well-being enables military parents to focus on serving the country. Military kids provide creative and resourceful support to their families and communities, all while regularly adapting to new environments and making sacrifices alongside their parents.’’
DOD will host a number of live events on the Military OneSource Facebook page, Twitter and YouTube throughout the month, including Blasko; Trevor Romain, best-selling children’s book author; and Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist.
In addition, throughout April, people are encouraged to ‘’purple up’’ and show their support to military kids by posting a selfie while wearing purple and posting it to social media with the hashtag #purpleup.
Blasko is also encouraging families to participate in related events or access available resources, including: Military OneSource, Military Kids Connect, and Sesame Street for Military Families

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