Month of the Military Child

Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families Turns Purple this April to Celebrate Month of the Military Child 

The Department and Maryland Joins Forces partners host events to honor the more than 35,000 military-connected children who call Maryland home

[Apr. 2, 2025– ANNAPOLIS, MD]— Tony Woods, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF), announced that April is officially Month of the Military Child in Maryland. This month is dedicated to honoring the children of military families—our youngest heroes. Throughout April, DVMF will join Maryland Joins Forces and other partners in events to recognize the unique challenges military-connected children face and to celebrate their strength, flexibility, and the sacrifices they make.

“The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families is honored to support the Month of the Military Child,” said Anthony Woods, Secretary of the Department of Veterans and Military Families. “Military children experience unique challenges, which they navigate with courage and resilience as they adjust to new schools, new communities, and the absence of a parent during deployments.”

“The strength of our military comes from the resilience of families and the courage of kids who grow up learning to say goodbye more often than most of us ever will,” said Dana Burl, Deputy Secretary, Military Family Policy and Programs, Department of Veterans and Military Families.  “This April, in partnership with our Maryland Joins Forces Partner organizations, we look forward to showing our gratitude to the thousands of brave military kids who call Maryland home.”  

2025 Schedule of Events:
April 7-11, 2025: Purple Up Week on DVMF Social Media Channels: DVMF will celebrate Purple Up Week across our social media channels, recognizing the strength and resilience of military-connected children. Each day, we’ll highlight Maryland Joins Forces partners who are making a difference in the lives of veteran and military children across the state.  

April 11, 2025: Purple Up Day! April 11 is Purple Up! Day, a time to show support and appreciation for military-connected children by wearing purple. The color represents all branches of the military, blending the colors of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force to symbolize unity and support for military families. Join us in honoring their resilience—wear purple and show your support! #PurpleUp #PurpleUpDVMF

April 12, 2025: Military Kid Day and DVMF Military Family Tailgate at the Men’s Army/Navy Lacrosse Game.  Join DVMF and partners for the tailgate and lunch, and stay for the game.  DVMF is proud to share that discounted game tickets for families are available.
Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (550 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401)/ Tailgate: Find us by Gate 5 off Taylor Ave
When: 10:00am to 12:00pm (TAILGATE); 12:30pm (GAME TIME)
Who: Military Families
Don’t miss this exciting matchup—purchase your discounted tickets here today!

April 30, 2025: Mission: Connection & Expression: Looking for a fun way to meet other military-connected kids? Unleash your imagination with hands-on art activities! Meet others in a relaxed, playful environment! Jump into the fun with improv games that spark confidence and laughter!
Where: Odenton Library, 1325 Annapolis Rd. Odenton, MD
Who: Military-Connect Kids, Ages 9-14
Register at www.kennedykrieger.org/militarychild 

May: Discounted tickets through Baltimore Symphony Orchestra!
Music Box: Great Big Animals: as part of the Family Collective, meet the gentle giants of the Animal World with a jazz combo and Maria Broom as your host. Elephants, Hippos and Bears are larger than life and center stage in this show.
To purchase discounted tickets:
Visit the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Events Page

Maryland Joins Forces was created in 2023 by the Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF) to improve how the department and its partner organizations support veterans and military families across Maryland.

To learn more about events and discounts for the Month of the Military Child, visit: https://veterans.maryland.gov/month-of-the-military-child/.

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Tiffany Young
Director of Communications
tiffany.young1@maryland.gov