Shine the Light on Military Children
Good morning Army Wife Network readers! I write this post with excitement and honor as we enter April and celebrate the Month of the Military Child. As we continue to operate in the uncertainty of our new COVID-19 stay-at-home norm, I want to offer you hope and a reflection piece that we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to push the reset button. This time of re-prioritizing life as we know it has allowed me to refocus my energy on what I hold most precious—our most valued military children.
First and foremost, it is with a humble heart that I highlight an incredible example of one our military children. I want to introduce you to Yasmine Dave’ Louise Searcy. She is the 12-year old daughter of Sgt. First Class Kennon and Oona Searcy, U.S. Army Great Lakes Recruiting Battalion of Pontiac Company.
Yasmine has served as a caring, kind, and courageous military child her entire life. Her service to others began when she was a toddler, starring in plays and singing in local theatre, allowing her life experiences as a military child to shine through art.
She currently volunteers in her community at a homeless shelter, as a mentor to at-risk youth, was recently inducted into her school’s Honor Society, serves as an SFRG Youth Liaison, and has remained on the “All-A Honor Roll” throughout her elementary and middle school student career.
Yasmine’s hard work and determination is fueled by the example fostered by her family’s commitment to lead through actions, not words alone. Her older siblings have served as wonderful role models in her life, modeling the way for a service-oriented mindset focused on making a positive community impact, no matter where the Army calls the Searcy family to serve in their nearly 19 years of service to our country.
Yasmine’s gift of making others feel accepted, supported, and loved has grown throughout the years because of her family’s military lifestyle. Her nurturing spirit has planted her in many leadership roles throughout the years, but most recently, she led an initiative to raise funds for her local Humane Society as she was motivated by a need.
She is currently leading a social media campaign through various mediums using #monthofthemilitarychild in an effort to continue support and raise awareness for military children. Her desire to lead this campaign is fueled by today’s COVID-19 environment, where isolation and self-quarantine is a must. Yasmine uses her character strength of kindness in most everything she sets out to do which allows her to shine bright and exemplify the crucial role of an exceptional military child.
Yasmine’s commitment to serve as an exemplary military child is just one example out of thousands. I’d love to see how we can rally around our military children throughout the year and continue highlighting their achievements.
A perfect segue to acknowledge our military children throughout the entire month of April is within our reach and highlighted in a new effort to continue and raise awareness for our military children around the world.
It’s my absolute pleasure to present the “Purple Up” Lights of Hope Campaign. As Month of the Military Child events and ceremonies have been cancelled, a response team developed the “Purple Up” Lights of Hope Campaign in hopes that military and civilian communities participate and acknowledge this beautiful month.
Please showcase your support by joining the “Purple Up” Lights of Hope Campaign. There are many ways to show your support for our military children: displaying a purple light on your front porch, on your lamp post, or in your office window is a simple way to do so. We would love for our military children around the world to see your lights of hope as these actions can have such a large impact on our military child heroes that often go unacknowledged for their service as well.
Be the light and join the “Purple Up” Lights of Hope Campaign all month long!
As we persevere in the months ahead, I challenge you to find ways to refocus your energy on what you hold dear and take action. Thank you, military children from around the world, for your commitment to serve on the homefront and make our military communities proud. This month is for you.
