Friday, April 4, 2025

April - Month of the Military Child

 


Month of the Military Child – What It Is & What You Can Do

📅 What is the Month of the Military Child?

April is recognized as the Month of the Military Child in the United States. It’s a time to celebrate and honor the resilience, strength, and sacrifices of children in military families. These children often experience frequent moves, long separations from a parent, and other unique challenges, yet they continue to thrive with courage and adaptability.

The month was established in 1986 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger to bring awareness and appreciation to the lives of military-connected children.


🎗️ Why It Matters

Military children:

  • Move 6–9 times on average before high school graduation.

  • Often deal with long deployments or absences of one or both parents.

  • Adapt quickly to new schools, friends, and routines.

  • Serve and sacrifice alongside their families.

Recognizing them helps build understanding, support, and inclusion in schools and communities.


💡 What Teachers and Schools Can Do

1. Celebrate “Purple Up! Day”

  • Encourage students and staff to wear purple, the color representing all branches of the military.

  • Many states observe Purple Up! Day around mid-April. (E.g., April 15 or a nearby weekday.)

  • Host a school-wide photo, banner, or assembly in honor of military kids.

2. Create a “Wall of Heroes”

  • Display photos or drawings of students’ military family members.

  • Let children write short bios or thank-you notes to honor them.

3. Morning Announcements or Spotlights

  • Share daily facts about military children.

  • Spotlight a military child each day and let them share their story or a fun fact about their life.

4. Classroom Activities

  • Write letters or draw pictures to send to military families.

  • Read books about military families (e.g., The Invisible String or Hero Dad).

  • Include social-emotional learning focused on resilience, empathy, and adaptability.

5. Invite Guest Speakers

  • Host a military parent or veteran to talk about their role and how families are involved in service.

6. Offer Support and Recognition

  • If you have military-connected students, check in with them individually.

  • Recognize their experiences during transitions, testing, or parent deployment.


👨‍👩‍👧 What Families and Communities Can Do

  • Share stories and experiences of military life at home or in community groups.

  • Attend local events hosted by bases or veteran organizations.

  • Help non-military families understand and appreciate military kids' unique strengths and challenges.


Tuesday, July 2, 2024

10% Discount for Veterans at Lowes


 

Military Discount Program Terms

(Details are quoted from Lowes.com)

Lowe’s offers a 10% Military Discount on most full-priced purchases to extend our gratitude to those who have served or are currently serving our country in the US armed forces. “US Armed Forces” is defined as the US Army, US Marine Corps, US Navy, US Air Force, US Coast Guard, US Space Force, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States Public Health Service (USPHS) and National Guard. Individuals dishonorably discharged or discharged for bad conduct are not eligible to receive a Military Discount. The discount also extends to their respective spouses, and all soouses are encouraged to independently enroll in the Military Discount Program.


What Does the Military Discount Apply To?

The 10% Military Discount can be used every day on most full-priced product purchases. Exclusions to the Military Discount Program include the following:

(i) It cannot be used on any sale item or with any other discount (such as but not limited to Lowe's Price Promise, Lowe's Credit 5% Off Every Day discount, volume or special pricing programs, and manager-discretion price adjustments);

(ii) It cannot be applied to major appliances (including related accessories and parts), commodities (such as but not limited to electrical cable, electrical wire, dimensional lumber, plywood and OSB), gift cards, previous purchases, fees, installations (sold separately or as part of a bundle comprising both product and services) or any other services (such as but not limited to rentals, labor, delivery, shipping and extended protection plans); and

(iii) Offer is not redeemable for cash and is for personal use only.

Full rules and instructions can be downloaded here: Military_Discount_Program_Terms.pdf


Frequently asked questions are available here: Everyday Military Discount (lowes.com)


To go directly to the signup page, go here: https://www.lowes.com/military/validation





Monday, May 6, 2024

Veterans Memorial Park, Bullhead City, AZ



ADDRESS: 434 Whitewater Drive Bullhead City, AZ 86442

The Arizona Veterans Memorial, located in a picturesque riverfront park in Bullhead City, pays tribute to over 3,000 brave military men and women from Arizona who made the ultimate sacrifice in wars and armed conflicts spanning a century. Standing proudly by the Colorado River, the memorial features a striking curved wall that stretches nine feet tall and 40 feet wide, adorned with a row of majestic flagpoles. Each flagpole proudly flies the American flag, while the wall itself showcases bronze plaques bearing the names of the fallen heroes. Flanking the memorial wall are magnificent bronze eagles, symbolizing strength and freedom, surrounded by 50 stars representing the unity of our nation.

The Arizona Veterans Memorial Park features a pyramid-shaped stone memorial dedicated to the U.S.S. Arizona, a ship that was lost during the Pearl Harbor attack, leading to America's involvement in World War II. Visitors can explore the park any time of the year, and there is no admission fee.

The Arizona Veterans Memorial is a must-see attraction. The northern section, located on Rio Grande Road, features panels displaying the names of Arizonians who lost their lives in various conflicts over the past century. In the southern part, visitors can find columns, an eternal flame, and a peaceful green space. A visit to this memorial offers a chance for reflection and a valuable lesson in history.