Columbia, S.C. (SCDVA) – Governor Henry McMaster proclaimed April as the "Month of the Military Child" on Tuesday, recognizing the sacrifices made by thousands of military-connected children who navigate frequent moves, school transitions, and separation from their parents during deployment.
South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs Secretary, Todd B. McCaffrey, opened the ceremony by acknowledging state legislators, cabinet officials, and students from Liberty STEAM Charter School in attendance. Additionally, representatives from six of South Carolina's nine installations traveled to the state house to show their support. McCaffrey 
noted that with the right accommodations, challenges like frequent moves and making new friends can become opportunities for growth and social development.
"Our attention to military children in April helps us focus on ways to reduce the obstacles that confront them and find the positives in the lifestyle which over a million and a half children participate in across our nation every single day," said McCaffrey.
State Superintendent of Education, Ellen Weaver, highlighted South Carolina's 17 Purple Star School Districts and seven Purple Star Schools as a vital network of support for military-connected students. She pointed to Noah, the son of a Marine in Beaufort County, whose pride when speaking about his father demonstrates how military children carry forward "the spirit of courage and service."
The Purple Star designation requires schools to meet specific standards, signaling support for military families beyond baseline requirements. The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) provides training for schools seeking the designation, encouraging accommodations such as flexibility in transferring credits, protections from state-to-state curriculum differences and graduation delays, as well as specialized counseling to help students navigate the emotional toll of relocating.
Before reading the proclamation, Governor Henry McMaster acknowledged the military's significant presence in South Carolina. Home to nine installations, including Fort Gordon, and more than 400,000 Veterans, South Carolinians are no stranger to the military lifestyle.
"Without the men and women that have served in battle and been ready to fight, we wouldn't be here," said McMaster. "This country wouldn't be here."
He acknowledged military children make sacrifices just like their parents, and addressed the children directly saying, "We're proud of you."
Over the next two months, two additional school districts and three individual schools will receive the Purple Star designation.
To learn more about the Military Child Education Coalition and Purple Star Schools visit militarychild.org/purplestarschools.