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American Legion Post 597 celebrated military children with a table-setting ceremony on Friday, April 11.
In honor of Military Child Month, the junior members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 597 and Sons of the American Legion Squadron 597 set the Military Child Table at the post at 1024 S. Elm St. in Carrollton.
In addition, Mayor Terry Lynne of Farmers Branch issued a proclamation declaring April as the Month of the Military Child.
The Military Child’s Table Setting Ceremony involves Auxiliary Junior members and younger Sons of the American Legion to honor the sacrifices of their military child friends and classmates. The ceremony is inspired by the POW/MIA Remembrance Table Ceremony.
As the military answers the call to service every day, that service often comes at great personal sacrifice not only for the servicemember, but also for their children, said a statement by American Legion Post 597.
The potted flowering plant symbolizes that a military child may flower and flourish where he or she is planted. A hand spade recognizes that they may be transplanted to a new place in the world at a moment’s notice. The birthday hat and unlit candles, along with the baseball and glove and ballet slippers represent special occasions that are missed. The family photo depicting a child with his or her uniformed parent demonstrates the country’s strength. An American flag is the final touch to the table to remind everyone that families are united in their commitment to national service, at home or away.
Purple symbolizes military children from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. The U.S. Department of Defense encourages people to wear purple during April, and especially on April 15, National Purple Up Day, to show support for military children.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, more than 1.6 million military children face challenges and unique experiences as a result of their parent’s service.
