The Department and Maryland Joins Forces partner to host events to honor the more than 35,000 military-connected children who call Maryland home
Credit: Unsplash / Alan Rodriguez
—Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF) Secretary Tony Woods today announced April as Month of the Military Child in Maryland to celebrate our nation’s youngest heroes. DVMF will participate in events throughout the month with Maryland Joins Forces partners to raise awareness of the unique experiences of military-connected children and youth and to acknowledge their strength, adaptability, and sacrifices. Maryland Joins Forces, a DVMF initiative, was established in 2023 to meaningfully mobilize partners across sectors and collaboratively address issues affecting veterans and military families.
“The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families is honored to support the Month of the Military Child,” said Anthony Woods, secretary of the Department of Veterans and Military Families. “Military children experience unique challenges, which they navigate with dignity and resilience as they adjust to new schools, new communities, and the absence of a parent during deployments.”
2025 Schedule of Events:
April 7-11, 2025: Purple Up Week on DVMF Social Media Channels: DVMF will celebrate Purple Up Week across our social media channels, recognizing the strength and resilience of military-connected children. Each day, we’ll highlight Maryland Joins Forces partners who are making a difference in the lives of veteran and military children across the state.
April 11, 2025: Purple Up Day! April 11 is Purple Up! Day, a time to show support and appreciation for military-connected children by wearing purple. The color represents all branches of the military, blending the colors of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force to symbolize unity and support for military families. Join us in honoring their resilience—wear purple and show your support! #PurpleUp #PurpleUpDVMF
April 12, 2025: Military Kid Day and DVMF Military Family Tailgate at the Men’s Army/Navy Lacrosse Game. Join DVMF and partners for the tailgate and lunch, and stay for the game! DVMF is proud to share that discounted game tickets for families are available.
Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (550 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401)/ Tailgate: Find us by Gate 5 off Taylor Ave
When: 10:00am to 12:00pm (tailgate); 12:30pm (GAME TIME)
Who: Military Families
Don’t miss this exciting matchup—purchase your discounted tickets here today!
April 30, 2025: Mission: Connection & Expression: Looking for a fun way to meet other military-connected kids? Unleash your imagination with hands-on art activities! Meet others in a relaxed, playful environment! Jump into the fun with improv games that spark confidence and laughter!
Where: Odenton Library, 1325 Annapolis Rd. Odenton, MD
Who: Military-Connect Kids, Ages 9-14
Register at www.kennedykrieger.org/militarychild
May: Discounted tickets through Baltimore Symphony Orchestra!
“Music Box: Great Big Animals”: as part of the Family Collective, meet the gentle giants of the animal world with a jazz combo and Maria Broom as your host. Elephants, hippos and bears are larger than life and center stage in this show.
To purchase discounted tickets, visit the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Events Page.
“The strength of our military comes from the resilience of families and the courage of kids who grow up learning to say goodbye more often than most of us ever will,” said Dana Burl, deputy secretary, Military Family Policy and Programs, Department of Veterans and Military Families.
“This April, in partnership with our Maryland Joins Forces Partner organizations, we look forward to showing our gratitude to the thousands of brave military kids who call Maryland home.”
To learn more about events and discounts for the Month of the Military Child, visit: https://veterans.maryland.gov/month-of-the-military-child/.
SOURCE: Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families
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