April is...

the Month of the Military Child!  I should have written this post at the beginning of the month but...it is what it is.

The Month of the Military Child was created in 1986 as a way to celebrate the contributions and inspiration of military children.  At this time, there was an assumption that our military kids were dealing with the same challenges, successes and disappointments of any of their peers, but this isn't necessarily the case.  Military children are given this month as a way to recognize and applaud these amazing kids for their accomplishments and resilience.  The goal of the Month of the Military Child not only acknowledges how strong military kids are, but also focuses on supporting them through the struggles they encounter due to the lifestyle that comes with being part of the military.  These kids are our future.  April 30 is designated as a day to visibly show support and thanks to the military kids for their strength and sacrifice by wearing purple. 

During this month, particularly around military posts and bases, we hear a lot of statistics thrown around.  While the goal is usually to educate everyone on the challenges unique to being a military kid, they tend to be so depressing.  Things like:
-military families relocate 2.4 times more often than civilian families
-more than 900,000 children in America experienced the deployment of one or both parents
-10,200 children suffered the loss of a parent in a combat-related incident
 *information taken from militaryfamily.org.

There are a ton of statistics, if you choose to look them up but it isn't what this month is about for me.  It is about a celebration of these amazing kids. 

When I was pregnant with Connor, I served on the Hunter Spouses Club Board.  One of our responsibilities was the annual HASC Scholarship.  The year I helped evaluate the scholarship applicants, there were three stipulations.  You had to be a graduating high school senior, a parent must serve in the military (the Club also allowed Civilian's to participate in Club activities), and one parent must be a member of the Spouses' Club.  The theme for this particular year was "What do you like about being a military child?"

Myself (along with most of the other Board members) sat silent as we read through these essays.  You could hear a pin drop as we quietly read an essay, scored it and passed it along to the next Board member to read.  There was not a dry eye in the room by the time we had read through all 8 applications.  These kids are jaw-dropping and they are just plain cool.  They have not just traveled to Europe or Asia but they have lived and been immersed in these cultures...and not just abroad but here in this country as well.  These kids have lived in the North, South, East and West. They have such a tolerance for all kids of people, customs, traditions and differences.  They are insanely adaptable.  The challenges of moving from school to school, neighborhood to neighborhood can be tough and stressful for everyone but military children learn how to fit in to their new surroundings.  They are social and makes friends well and easily.  They are wonderful communicators because they have so many unique experiences.

I have two Army brats of my own and I watch them thrive and flourish every single day.  I watch them handle their sadness with their daddy being gone with grace and strength.  They never complain about him not being there, they don't let sadness dictate their ability to still live and enjoy life.