Purple Up! aims to support military dependents

Published April 16, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Duncan McElroy
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Since it was declared by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger in 1968, April has been the Month of the Military Child. Now, 47 years later, Janelle Davis, daughter of Lt. Col. Wendy Davis, 2nd Air Force assistant staff judge advocate, worked hand-in-hand with Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant to declare April 15 as "Purple Up! For Military Kids Day."

The movement calls for communities to wear purple; a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red and Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force blue in support of the military's dependents.

Janelle, a member of the Air Force Reserve Teen Leadership Council, became involved with Purple Up after attending a 2013 leadership summit in San Antonio.

"Purple Up is a way to show support for military children - it's a movement to support children of all military branches," she explained. "It's great to look around and see how many people are supporting such a big part of the military."

Being involved with the leadership council has allowed Janelle to connect with her military dependent peers from all around the country, while at the same time giving her an opportunity to spread programs for youths to a wider audience of civilians and military personnel.

"Initiatives like this make me feel a sense of connection," she said. "Seeing those around me wearing purple lets me know there's a network of people that I can relate to."

When Janelle leaves for college this fall, she'll have to hand off the responsibilities of the AFRTLC to the next generation of military youth, but still plans on being active in supporting the military and other kids like her, she said.

"It's all about finding ways to support," said Davis. "Military kids are like hidden heroes - there's no medals or ranks they can earn, but they're a huge source of support for our service members."

Purple Up! for military kids