Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick

Whereas The brave men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States of America deployed on active duty around the world exemplify courage and commitment to freedom; and

Whereas There are approximately 1.7 million American children under 18 years of age with a parent serving in the military, of whom 13,000 reside in the Commonwealth; and

Whereas When National Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines, Active or Reserve, or Coast Guard service members living in civilian communities are mobilized, their children face a wide variety of unique experiences and challenges; and

Whereas Massachusetts Operation: Military Kids, part of the 4-H Youth Development Program of UMass Extension, along with state and national partners, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the National Association of Child Care Resources & Referral Agencies, the Military Education Coalition, Army Child Youth & School Services, and The American Legion, were formed to support these children and families during the stages of deployment; and

Whereas Military children and families make great contributions to the strength of our Armed Forces and should be commended for their dedication and spirit; and

Whereas On this day, residents of Massachusetts are encouraged to wear purple as an expression of support for the heroism, character, courage, sacrifices, continued resilience and unconditional support of military children and families,

Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim April 13th, 2012, to be,

Purple Up for Military Kids Day

And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this twenty-seventh day of March, in the year two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
               
By His Excellency                  

Deval L. Patrick                    
Governor of the Commonwealth         

William Francis Galvin           
Secretary of the Commonwealth        

God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts