From the Director: Month of the Military Child

April 24, 2009

Is there anything more precious and more encouraging than the smile of a child? Every boy and girl is a promise for the future … and the vessel of our hopes and dreams. Our children bring to us a joyful obligation, and in that spirit, April is the Month of the Military Child.

Warriors and their families form a transcendent bond, and children are the heart of the family. Even as we celebrate the joy and wonder that these little ones bring to our lives, we must also recognize that children of military families may face unique obstacles. Sometimes it’s the challenge of a parent being deployed. Sometimes it’s the difficulty of having to move frequently from place to place. For some children, it is the adjustment of a parent facing a “new normal” after an injury, including issues of psychological health or traumatic brain injury.

In this Month of the Military Child, DCoE is spreading the word that the health and well-being of military children must be a priority for us all. We reach out to help them – even as we acknowledge their strength and resilience. Where would we be without the comfort of our children? We can never give back to them all the hope and joy they give to us, but we can celebrate and support them for their vital role in our lives.

This month has brought many and varied public “salutes” to military children, including kick-off ceremonies and special activities at schools, faith centers, community centers, military installations and elsewhere – and that’s not all! Wherever you live and work, look for parades, artsand- crafts events and special programs for the entire family … all to show our communities that children matter to us in ways that we see every single day. The Department of Defense, the military services and the Military Child Education Coalition have created workbooks and toolkits specifically targeted toward preparing and educating children about deployment and reintegration – and these tools are only part of the effort.

In addition, the Month of the Military Child brings the film tour of “BRATS: Our Journey Home,” “Flags Across the Nation” and “Operation Military Kids.” There is much more, and many of the events have been created to highlight local successes and to address specific local needs. Be sure to check for the listing of events within your community, provided by the National Military Family Association.

Someone once said that we worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he or she is someone today. It’s so true! So let us love them and honor them and care for them not just in this special month, but all year round!

For the Children~

Brig. Gen. Loree K. Sutton, M.D.
DCoE Director