WHEREAS, Blue Star Families seeks to empower military families by connecting them with their neighbors - individuals and organizations - to create vibrant communities of mutual support; and

WHEREAS, Blue Star Families annually designates the week beginning the last Saturday in September and concluding nine days thereafter as “Blue Star Welcome Week;” and

WHEREAS, nearly half of these permanent change of station (PCS) moves occur during the summer; and

WHEREAS, only 27 percent of military family respondents to the 2020 Military Family Lifestyle Survey reported that they feel a sense of belonging to their local civilian community; and

WHEREAS, a sense of belonging is essential to the well-being and readiness of military families; and

WHEREAS, we commit to ensuring that military-connected families feel a strong sense of belonging to their local civilian communities; and

WHEREAS, we express gratitude for the sacrifices made by service members, transitioning veterans, and their families; and

WHEREAS, we encourage civilians nationwide to welcome military-connected families into their communities;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize September 24 through October 2, 2022, as BLUE STAR WELCOME WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.