R 091751Z MAR 12

ALCOAST 115/12
COMDTNOTE 1754
SUBJ: MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD
1. EACH YEAR, THE MONTH OF APRIL IS DESIGNATED "MONTH OF THE MILITARY
CHILD", IN CELEBRATION OF THE OVER 1.8 MILLION MILITARY CHILDREN WHO
CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR FAMILIES WELL-BEING AND THE SACRIFICES THEY MAKE
ON BEHALF OF THE NATION.  AS OF DECEMBER 2011, THE U.S. COAST GUARD
CAN BOAST OVER 36,980 FAMILY MEMBERS BETWEEN NEWBORN TO 19 YEARS.
2. EVERY DAY, CHILDREN AND TEENS OF MILITARY FAMILIES ENDURE MANY
ASPECTS OF MILITARY LIFE, INCLUDING FREQUENT MOVES, PARENT
DEPLOYMENTS, ADJUSTMENT TO NEW SCHOOLS AND THE LOSS OF FRIENDSHIPS.
THROUGH THESE CHALLENGES WE FIND THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE RESILIENT,
UNDERSTANDING, ACCEPTING AND SUPPORTIVE OF A LIFESTYLE WHICH NOT
EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS.  THE MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD IS A TIME TO
REFLECT AND PAY TRIBUTE TO THESE CHILDREN AND TEENS, RECOGNIZING THE
CHALLENGES OF BEING PART OF A MILITARY COMMUNITY WHILE LIVING OUTSIDE
THE FENCE.  TO THOSE CHILDREN, TEENS AND THEIR FAMILIES WE WOULD LIKE
TO SAY THANK YOU.
3. COMMANDING OFFICERS AND INDIVIDUAL SERVICE MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED
TO TAKE THE TIME TO RECOGNIZE MILITARY CHILDREN AND TEENS EITHER
THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAMS AND EVENTS IN THEIR LOCAL
COMMUNITIES OR BY HOSTING EVENTS THEMSELVES.
4. THE COAST GUARD POC FOR THIS MATTER IS MR. KEN OMEARA, DEPENDENT
CARE PROGRAM MANAGER, AT 202-475-5160 OR EMAIL: KENNETH.R.OMEARA(AT)
USCG.MIL.
5. RADM M.K. DOLLYMORE, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WORK-LIFE,
SENDS
6. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.