Department of Education asks students, staff to wear purple on April 21 in support of military children
April is recognized nationally as the Month of the Military Child. This special recognition, established by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger in 1986, serves as a reminder that military children play a role in contributing to the strength of military families.
As a visible way to show support and thank military children, students and staff in school districts across the state have been asked to “Purple Up” and wear purple on Wednesday, April 21. The color purple was chosen because it is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military. It is the combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine Corps red and Navy blue.
“Approximately 31 percent of all service members deployed out of Florida have families with children,” Jacob Oliva, Chancellor, Division of Public Schools for the Florida Department of Education, wrote in a recent letter to school district superintendents. “The Florida Department of Education supports school districts and schools who are responding to the educational needs of military-connected children to enable them to be on track and ready for a well-rounded, world-class educational journey in Florida.”
In Lake County Schools this month, military families are asked to post on social media pictures of their children with their military parent, ideally in uniform, with the local hashtag #LCSMilitaryChildMonth.
Then, on April 21, all students, staff and community residents are asked to share photos in their purple attire, again using the local hashtag#LCSMilitaryChildMonth, along with the national #PurpleUp4MilitaryKids.
Jeannie Lukin, Child and Youth Program Coordinator for the Florida Army National Guard, wrote a letter to district superintendents urging participation. “By wearing purple on the 21st,” she wrote, “you are recognizing the sacrifice, bravery and resilience military kids have in their ever-changing environments.”
