Every Day Heroes: The Military Children

Month of the Military Child – Featured New Media Sites

Published: April 6, 2010

We all know the sacrifices that men and women in the military make by serving this great country; they show their courage and commitment to freedom every day. But they’re not the only ones who serve. Military children also make sacrifices and serve in their own ways. In 1986, Secretary of Defense, Caspar Weinberger, designated April as the “Month of the Military Child” to highlight the importance of military children and their role in military families. This month is dedicated to recognizing the contributions of military kids and celebrating their spirit.

This week, for Month of the Military Child, we’re featuring family-focused new media sites. Take some time to check them out and share them with your kids.

Sesame Workshop has some great videos for kids about deployments, homecomings, and coping with changes.

Military Youth on the Move is a fun and interactive site to help kids with some of the challenges of military life.

The Family Matters Blog provides resources and support to military families and encourages a dialogue on topics ranging from deployments and separations to the challenges of everyday life.

Military One Source offers resources and consultations on the issues that concern military families. Check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

The Military Community and Family Policy Facebook page provides quality of life information on programs and policies for service members, their families, military and congressional leaders, and service providers. (source)

The children also serve.

A Navy sailor holds his child for the first time (Photo by Jane Campbell, USN)

Month of the Military Child

April is Month of the Military Child! This special celebration is a legacy of former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger – established to underscore the important role children play in the Armed Forces community. Army Garrisons plan numerous events ranging from picnics and parades to recreational fairs and fun festivals – all to recognize and applaud Families and their children, who are everyday heroes, for the daily sacrifices for they make in supporting America’s Army.

Go here to find out more.

DoDEA Honors Military Children during the Month of the Military Child.

ARLINGTON, VA — The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) joins the Department of Defense and military communities around the world in honoring military children during April — The Month of the Military Child.

For nearly a quarter of a century, the Department of Defense has been designating April as the month to recognize the special qualities of our military children. The sacrifices they make to help keep our nation's defenses strong are sometimes overlooked or underestimated. But the parents of these children recognize the strength and courage their children display as they support their families. Frequent moves and deployments are two of the biggest challenges these children face.

"Our children make many sacrifices growing up in a military family. From frequent moves to knowing their parent is serving in a dangerous place, military children must develop resiliency at a young age. This strength is something they carry with them throughout life and I believe it is a testament to the strength and resolve of our nation's military members who serve as role models every day for their children," said Dr. Shirley Miles, Director of DoDEA. (For more - go here)

And from SpouseBUZZ back in 2008

WAR: Through the eyes of a 6-year-old

Go, now, to SpouseBUZZ here to read the rest of this one.

Never, ever forget that our precious children also serve. They ARE heroes, every single day.