ARLINGTON, VA — The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) joins the Department of Defense (DoD) and military communities around the world in honoring military children during April - The Month of the Military Child.

Sponsored by the Department of Defense, the Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and challenges they overcome. The observance is part of the legacy left by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger who established the Defense Department commemoration in 1986.

For nearly a quarter of a century, DoD has been designating April as the month to recognize the special qualities of our military children. The sacrifices they make to help keep our nation's defenses strong are sometimes overlooked or underestimated. But the parents of these children recognize the strength and courage their children display as they support their families. Frequent moves and deployments are two of the biggest challenges these children face.

DoD schools are part of the wide community support network available to families. DoDEA teachers and staff members are uniquely positioned to understand, nurture, and educate military children. The DoDEA mission is to ensure highest student achievement for all of our students and to prepare them for success in life. DoDEA schools are an important element of stability in welcoming students wherever their skills and talents are, advancing them to the next level, and preparing them for their future.

Throughout the month, DoDEA will encourage schools to plan special events to honor military children and have administrators and principals incorporate the themes of this month into their every day duties and responsibilities. These efforts and special events will stress the importance of providing children with quality services and support to help them succeed in the mobile military lifestyle.

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages pre-kindergarten - 12th grade education programs for DoD dependents who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality public education. DoDEA schools are located in Europe, the Pacific, the United States, Cuba, Guam, and Puerto Rico. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Education Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families