Naval Air Station Patuxent River is preparing to honor the children of service members, throughout April, during the Month of the Military Child.

Established in 1986 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, the month recognizes the nearly 2 million U.S. military children who have one or both parents serving in the armed forces.

"The Month of the Military Child is a month where we plan events to recognize and show appreciation for our children of active-duty military and civilians," said Amorio Parish, administrator of Child and Youth Programs at NAS Patuxent River.

Parish said the children of military personnel and civilians attached to the DOD face stressors unique to military families, so the Child and Youth Programs office is available year round to help ease that stress.

"We know that all our military and civilian children face many challenges that are unique to their situation, such as having a parent deployed for extended periods of time and moving frequently," said Parish. "Deployments and family separations can be stressful times for children. So what CYP does each year is take part in a community support network available to families. Our managers, trainers, and teachers guide honest and open discussions with students to help with easier transitions and adjustments connected with military and civilian children. Our most important contribution is to remain focused on the educational mission and provide a stable environment for the children in our programs especially during these times of stress."

In support of this effort, NAS Patuxent River's Child and Youth Programs office will host a variety of events throughout April aimed at supporting military children.

"This year, we're inviting everyone to 'Purple Up,' which is an annual campaign created four years ago by Operation Military Kids," said Parish. "During the month of April they encourage community awareness and support of military and civilian children. OMK also asks the nation to join together for an event they call, 'Purple Up! For Military Kids' and wear purple on a designated day in April. CYP is encouraging everyone across the military to wear purple on April 15 as a visible way to show support and thank military and civilian children for their strength and sacrifices."

Parish explained the color purple was chosen to represent military children because it is a combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red, and Navy blue.

NAS Patuxent River's Month of the Military Child events and promotions include:

April 1-30 - Free Round of Mini Golf for Military Children
Children of military personnel can receive a free round of mini golf with the purchase of an adult round at Navy Recreation Center Solomons.

April 1-30 - Free Shoe Rental for Military Children
NAS Patuxent River Bowling Center

April 7 - Child and Youth Programs Ice Cream Social
NAS Patuxent River Child Development Center Bldg. 2030.

April 11-15 - Month of the Military Child Spirit Week
All Child and Youth programs

April 15 - Purple Up/Patch Up
Personnel and children are encouraged to wear purple in support of Month of the Military Child. Participating families will be encouraged to decorate patches in support of the event to be displayed on the walls of Child and Youth Programs spaces.

April 22 - Stroller Walk
Navy Recreation Center Solomons Fleet and Family Services Center

April 29 - Youth Center Field Day
Held at the track behind Fire Station 2

April 29 --Child and Youth Programs Ice Cream Social
Child Development Center Bldg. 2813

For more information about the Month of the Military Child programs offered at Pax River, contact either Child Development Center Bldg. 2813 at (301) 342-3636; Child Development Center Bldg. 2030 at (301) 342-7636; or Youth Center/School Age Care at (301) 342-1694.

For more news from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, visit http://www.navy.mil/.