Cover Story: Blooming Through Change — Honoring Elizabeth Stanton and the 40th Anniversary of the Military Child
As we head into the spring of 2026, the WeSalute team is turning our attention to a milestone anniversary. While Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are just around the corner, April marks the 40th anniversary of the “Month of the Military Child,” a time when we honor the youngest members of our military community for their strength and sacrifice.
Leading this year’s celebration is Elizabeth Stanton, the 2026 Military Child of the Year for the Air Force.
“My life as a military child has been a journey of finding home in people rather than places,” Stanton said. At 16 years old, the College Station, Texas native has been recognized by Operation Homefront for her incredible resilience. Elizabeth has balanced the complexities of military life — frequent moves and the uncertainty of deployments — with a deep commitment to community service and academic achievement. She represents the very best of the nearly 900,000 military-connected children worldwide who serve alongside their parents in their own unique way.
Four Decades of Honoring Our "Military Brats"
The tradition of the Month of the Military Child was established by the U.S. Department of Defense in 1986. For forty years, we have used this month to recognize that while military "brats" often see more of the world by age 10 than most people do in a lifetime, they also face the daunting task of starting over in new schools and cities every few years.
WeSalute remains dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) in their mission to provide stability for these students. Currently, over 67,000 military children are enrolled in 161 DoDEA schools spanning 11 countries and 10 time zones.
As the DoDEA often reminds us, the official flower of the military child is the dandelion. It is a fitting symbol: dandelions put down roots anywhere the wind carries them. They are resilient, they bloom in unexpected places, and they thrive despite being uprooted.
How to Join Us in "Purpling Up"
At WeSalute, we encourage our members and the broader veteran community to participate in "Purple Up! For Military Kids." On April 15, 2026, we invite you to wear as much purple as you can to show your support for all military children.
The color purple is significant because it blends the colors of all military branches:
- Army Green
- Coast Guard Blue
- Air Force Blue
- Marine Red
- Navy Blue
How WeSalute Recognizes Military Children
Throughout our history, WeSalute has spotlighted the remarkable journey of military children who have translated their unique upbringing into excellence across government, business, the arts, and athletics. We take special pride in honoring those "military brats" who have come full circle, choosing to follow their parents’ footsteps by donning the uniform themselves.
One such inspiring story comes from Christine Duffy, president of our partner Carnival Cruise Line, who is both the daughter and mother of U.S. Army veterans.
Other military children profiled by WeSalute include: movie actors Gary Sinise (and philanthropist) and Steve Carrell; TV hosts Ryan Seacrest, Kelly Ripa, and Michael Strahan; movie actresses Reese Witherspoon and Bo Derek; NFL coaches Bill Belichick and Andy Reid; singer Pink; former Miss USA Rachel Smith; and military philanthropist Ken Fisher of Fisher House.
