WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia is proud to be home to more than 79,000 military-connected children; and

WHEREAS, Virginia has the highest number of military school-aged children in the nation and is committed to being an active participant in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which facilitates military children transitioning in school systems across state lines; and

WHEREAS, the children of our service members make significant contributions to schools across the Commonwealth in their display of patriotism, sharing of their military culture and ongoing support of our Nation’s military; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s public and private schools remain committed to the care and education of the children of the men and women of our Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact for Military Children have awarded 490 schools the Purple Star Designation, and of these, 219 have been awarded twice, 42 have been awarded three times, and a total of 793 Purple Star Designation Awards have been distributed since 2018; and

WHEREAS, many school divisions in the Commonwealth prioritize military families in out-of-zone and out-of-district enrollment policies to eliminate access barriers; and

WHEREAS, by partnering with school liaison officers, military leaders, educators, and community organizations, the Virginia Department of Education provides the unique support needed for military service members and their families during all stages of transition and deployment; and

WHEREAS, Month of the Military Child reaffirms our commitment to ensuring excellence in schools, childcare, and youth services to military children who face unique challenges that other children their age never experience;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize April 2025, as MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.