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Not a day goes by that members of our military aren’t in my thoughts and prayers for their selfless service and sacrifice. But it is not their sacrifice and service alone. Military families, especially children, are also sacrificing on behalf of their country.
The children of military families suffer quietly through the absence of their mother or father. Their fears and anxieties are many especially for those who have a parent in a war zone. Those children in military families who may not be separated from their parents, still bear the burden of moving from base to base and leaving friends behind when a parent is transferred.
Month of the Military Child
It is for these reasons that the Secretary of Defense has designated every April as “Month of the Military Child.” It is time when U.S. military bases worldwide plan special activities for kids. It is a time when adults honor the sacrifices of military children.
One of the ways we in Congress honor our military children is to make sure that they have proper care by providing excellent facilities such as the new Child Development Center at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska.
As Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, I am committed to making our military as family-friendly as possible. That’s why I made sure $13 million was included in legislation to build a new child care center that was dedicated last year.
Child Care a Necessity
The demand for affordable child care at Offutt had far exceeded capacity and parents were put on a long waiting list. Now, children from the age of 6 weeks to 5 years old have an accredited quality care facility that provides a loving, safe and healthy environment for them while their parents are serving their country or working outside the home to help make ends meet.
As a Nation, we are indebted to our service men and women and we must provide for their needs. Taking care of those needs doesn’t just mean making certain they have all they need when sent into harm’s way on behalf of their country.
Making sure they have all that they need also means that we have the responsibility to take care of their families, especially their children, here at home.
Children also Serve
I hope these children understand that they are serving this country just as surely as their parents are. I hope these children understand that what they are going through will make them become a stronger and better person. They will gain a special understanding of patriotism and loyalty that only someone in a military family can fully appreciate.
That is why so many children in military families follow in the footsteps of their parents. They come to understand that the military is more than just a job. It is a way of life.
During April, Month of the Military Child, I hope that when we take a moment to remember U.S. service members that we also think of their children.
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