HILL AIR FORCE BASE – April is the Month of the Military Child, honoring and paying tribute to Hill’s youngest heroes for their commitment, sacrifices and support of their military member parents.
In an official proclamation, Utah’s Governor Spencer J. Cox said this is a special month where thousands of Utah’s military children are recognized for their contributions and commitment to supporting and empowering military families across our state.
"Utah is home to over 13,000 military children, and their families are an integral part of our communities,” he said. “Despite the unique challenges they face, these children show incredible resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to their families and our country.”
Davis School District, where a majority of Hill’s children attend school, celebrates Month of the Military Child by planning special events designed to celebrate and appreciate the sacrifices military connected students face.
Each school and in the district and the headquarters building is adorned with purple ribbons outside, and employees and students are encouraged to participate in Purple-Up Fridays throughout the month of April.
“Purple Up signifies the combined colors of each branch of the military, with these colors combined, you get purple.,” said Francesca Suarez, Military Family Advocate for the Davis School District. “This color represents every military connected child in every branch.”
Davis School District Military Support Team will give away a Purple-Up gift basket at the conclusion of Hill Aerospace Museum’s egg hunt on April 8. Each child in grades K-12, wearing purple to the museum will get a ticket for a chance to win.
Hill’s Youth Center is also participating in Purple-Up Fridays and offered a carnival, bounce house, bowling and laser tag during spring break week when there is more time for the youth to enjoy these activities.
Suarez said providing special activities for Hill’s military children helps recognize them and let them know their sacrifices don’t go unnoticed or are underappreciated.
“Military children serve too,” she said. “They live their lives sacrificing their comforts, friends, hobbies and everything they work hard to achieve, often without being asked how they feel about it. Military children deserve to be thanked for all that they do to support their military parent.”
The Davis School District Military Support Team recognizes that sometimes parents can use assistance in helping their child cope with military life or just life in general.
Parents of children ages 12-18 are invited to a free, two-night Youth Mental Health First-Aid class from 4-7:30 p.m. April 18 and April 25 at Clearfield High School where they will learn to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health problems.
“Training will give military connected parents the tools needed to assist their children through a mental health crisis or situation that may arise within their home,” Suarez said. “When parents are trained on how to help their children with these strains on mental health, then the family benefits on practicing effective coping skills.”
Dinner is also provided at this training and parents must plan to attend both Tuesday-night session.
Suarez said her hope is that the training gives parents confidence to use interventions so they can help their children cope with their mental health problems.
Interested parents should register for Youth Mental Health First-Aid training at https://tinyurl.com/3v2m2xjn.
For questions about Month of the Military Child activities at Hill AFB, or to get a calendar of events, call or visit CDC East 801-777-6321, CDC West 801-777-6223 or Hill’s Youth Center 801-777-2419.