A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND PERSONAL SACRIFICES OUR MILITARY CHILDREN MAKE AND TO DESIGNATE APRIL 2026 AS "MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

 

Whereas, in 1986, former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger designated the month of April as the Month of the Military Child, an opportunity to recognize the contributions and personal sacrifices our military children make in support of the millions of brave United States servicemembers and veterans that demonstrate their courage and commitment to freedom by serving the Armed Forces of the United States of America around the world; and

 

Whereas, there are more than thirty-six thousand children connected to the military across the State of South Carolina; and

 

Whereas, when a servicemember joins the military, it is a family commitment to the United States, and military children sacrifice in their own way; and

 

Whereas, military children are a source of pride, earning our appreciation for the significant contributions they make in our schools, our communities, and throughout our State, despite prolonged and repeated absences by one or both parents; and

 

Whereas, the average military student faces transition challenges more than twice during high school, and most military children will attend six to nine different school systems throughout their lives  from kindergarten to twelfth grade; and

 

Whereas, military children make up a very special part of our nation's population; although young, these brave sons and daughters stand in steadfast support of their military parents through moves and

deployments on behalf of our country; and

 

Whereas, the commitment to support military and veteran-connected children in South Carolina is a team effort among leadership at the South Carolina State House, the South Carolina Military Department, the South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs, South Carolina Department of Education, the South Carolina Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission, the South Carolina National Guard, and the Military Child Education Coalition; and

 

Whereas, the designation of a "Month of the Military Child" will allow the people of South Carolina to pay tribute to military children for their commitment, struggles, and unconditional support of United States troops. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor the contributions and personal sacrifices our military children make and designate April 2026 as "Month of the Military Child" in South Carolina.

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