04/01/2026
PROCLAMATION: 2026-03-0007
APRIL 2026 AS THE MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD AND APRIL 15, 2026 AS PURPLE UP! DAY FOR MILITARY CHILDREN
WHEREAS, Lovettsville American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1836 is a service organization that supports and advocates for veterans, military, and their families in Lovettsville, Virginia, and supports the programs of the American Legion to foster patriotism and responsible citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger designated April as the Month of the Military Child in 1986 to recognize sacrifices made by military children and their families worldwide; and
WHEREAS, military children may have one or both parents in the military, may experience one or both parents deployed, may experience moving every few years within the continental United States and overseas; and
WHEREAS, military children are expected to support the mission by understanding the parent(s) need to put duty before family. Sometimes older children "fill in" to help with chores around the home and with younger siblings; and
WHEREAS, military children may miss many opportunities for family celebrations and activities with their military parent, such as birthdays, recitals, sporting events, holidays, and other special occasions; and
WHEREAS, part of the month-long celebration in communities and school districts around the world recognize our military children with Purple Up! Day; and
WHEREAS, the color purple indicates all the branches of the military are supported; Air Force is blue, Space Force is blue, Navy is blue, Army is green, Marines are red, and Coast Guard is blue, which combines to a single color, purple; and
WHEREAS, Purple Up! Day gives the community an opportunity to recognize our youngest heroes and share their stories; and
WHEREAS, for the past four years, Lovettsville American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1836 has celebrated the children of our military, veterans, and reservists on Purple Up! Day at Lovettsville Elementary School, and the Lovettsville Community Center, in collaboration with staff; and
WHEREAS, everyone in the community are asked to wear purple on Purple Up! Day to show support for our military children and families.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that I, Christopher M. Hornbaker, Mayor of the Town of Lovettsville, and the Lovettsville Town Council of Lovettsville, Virginia, hereby proclaim April 2026 as the Month of the Military Child and proclaim April 15, 2026, as Purple Up! Day when all residents are encouraged to wear purple in support of our military children.
PASSED this 26th day of March 2026
CHRISTOPHER M. HORNBAKER, MAYOR