SD Operation Military Kids "Purple Up Day"

April marks the nation’s “Month of the Military Child,” a time to honor our community military youth who have been impacted by deployment. In celebration, South Dakota’s Operation: Military Kids (OMK) program, part of the 4-H Youth Development program of SDSU Cooperative Extension, is inviting everyone to join in and show their support  by being part of the “Purple Up! For Military Kids" Day, to be held on April 13^th.  Everyone is being encouraged to wear purple on that date as a visible way to show support and thanks to all military children for their strength and sacrifices. Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military, as it is the combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red and Navy blue. OMK hopes everyone will take this opportunity to appreciate and celebrate these young heroes.  The goal of the event is for military youth to actually see a lot of “purple” that day to visually witness the support of their community! 

What can people do to participate?  We want everyone who can to actively PROMOTE the day. 

• City mayors can declare April 13th as "Purple Up! for Military Kids" Day, encouraging everyone to wear purple in support of military kids in SD.

• Businesses and organizations can ask employees to wear purple on April 13th, and put signs in their windows "Support Military Kids on April 13th - Wear Purple!" or "Purple Up! For Military Kids!", etc.

• School administrators can encourage students, teachers, bus drivers and other school personnel to wear purple.  Hang signs in school to "Wear purple on Purple Up Day", and 'We appreciate military kids', etc. 

• Radio and television stations can promote the Month of the Military Child and Purple Up! Day on April 13th, along with saying 'Thank You' to all the military kids for being strong when their parents are deployed. 

• Others can do all types of fun things to call attention to and celebrate Military Kids. 

 
For more information, please call the SDSU West River Ag Center at 605-394-2236.