by Airman 1st Class Peter Reft
354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
4/28/2013 - EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFNS) -- Students at Robert M. Crawford Elementary School celebrated Purple Up Day April 19, honoring military children who make unique sacrifices in support of their active-duty mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers.
Alaska state officials adopted Purple Up Day last year to show support for an estimated 13,000 children in the state who have active-duty and deployed parents.
The color purple represents all military service branches and is also the resulting color when combining the colors of each service: Army green, Air Force blue, Navy blue, Coast Guard blue, and Marine red.
"It is important for these military-connected youth to know that their nation and community stand by them in support and that we recognize their strength and the sacrifices they have made," said Sen. Mark Begich in a Congressional Record observing Purple Up Day. "I ask Alaskans to join me in wearing something purple on Purple Up Day."
During an assembly in the school gymnasium, Candi Dierenfield, Alaska's military liaison for the 4-H Youth Development Organization, spoke to the Crawford Elementary students about their importance as a military family member. She thanked them for their part in supporting their parents. Dierenfield asked for those with active-duty parents to stand with pride. Almost every child rose and shouted in unison. Dierenfield reminded those still sitting that they have their own duty to support their friends who have deployed family members.
"Some of the children have heartbreakingly not had their parents come back or come back very different," she said. "It's a great way to show our support for them and just to thank them." The children demonstrated their pride during the assembly by singing the national anthem, "God Bless the U.S.A.", "America the Beautiful" and "The Air Force Song."
Guest speaker 2nd Lt. Shaina Thompson, the 354th Force Support Squadron executive officer, emphasized the importance of the children to service members and how the 354th FSS members dedicate so many resources just for them.
"You guys are the ones there when we get home," Thompson said. "We get to hang out with you, and you're very important to your family. They love you very much." April is the Month of the Military Child and Purple Up Day is a dedicated time for military families to commemorate their children. The New Hampshire 4-H chapter started the event in 1986 as a way to celebrate and thank military children nationwide.
