Generations of American children have traveled the world with their military parents, dealing with separations, deployments, frequent moves and even their parents' injuries as part of the life they were born into or entered with their families.
Each year, April is set aside as a military child appreciation month, officially known as the Month of the Military Child.
Last month, Perryville Mayor Ken Baer, at the urging of American Legion Auxiliary Post 113 president Carol Taylor and Americanism chairman Carol Rozier, issued a proclamation declaring Thursday, April 15 as "Military Kids Day" in the city, and encouraging local residents to "Purple Up!"
Because purple is a color used to represent all military services, the theme "Purple Up" is used over the course of the month, encouraging those who wish to honor military children to wear purple in their honor.
"This is a special to pay tribute to military children for their commitment, patience, courage, and unconditional support of their parents," Baer wrote in the proclamation. "Wearing purple on April 15 will show support for our military kids and appreciation for their strength and sacrifices."
Since its beginning in the mid-1980s, the Pentagon and other military support organizations and agencies use the month to recognize military kids for their sacrifice and bravery on the homefront.
For more information on how to celebrate Military Kids Day, visit the American Legion Auxiliary Post 113's Facebook page.
View the mayor's proclamation below.
