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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Military children may not wear the uniform, but they serve too. That is what the Tennessee National Guard’s Youth Action Council declared during a meeting with Maj. Gen. Jeff Homes, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, last year. High school students, who are military dependents, worked together to recognize the sacrifices children make when one – or both – of their parents are away serving in uniform.
“We miss seeing our parents at all kinds of events. It hurts a little, but we understand what our parents are doing,” said a Youth Action Council Member. “Most of the general public does not understand the challenges that comes with being a military child and how hard it is to say good-bye to a parent for an extended period of time. It is this sacrifice we want to make public.”
Overnight drill weekends, annual training, military schools, stateside mobilizations, and overseas deployments mean mom or dad will probably miss important events like a birthday, a sporting event, a school play, the prom, and graduation. The list goes on.
The Youth Action Council paved the way to recognize these sacrifices. Since 2019, graduating seniors have had the option to wear a purple cord with their graduation regalia. Purple was chosen because it represents all colors of the military: Army green, Navy blue, Marine red, Air Force blue, and Coast Guard blue.
“My daughter graduated in 2019 and wore the purple cord along with the other cords which recognized her achievements,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Lance Jenkins, Family Programs Deputy Director. “Parents who are interested in a purple chord should speak to their unit. Family Programs will then mail the cord to the family.”
According to the Tennessee Department of Education, each local school district in Tennessee is authorized to set their own rules about what a student may or may not wear on graduation day and the cord is not presently sanctioned by state law. However, a statement can be sent to the school explaining what the cord represents.
The cord will also be available to purchase online soon.
| Date Taken: | 05.03.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.03.2021 11:36 |
| Story ID: | 395446 |
| Location: | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, US |
| Web Views: | 3,276 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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