April Is the Month of the Military Child

We are all concerned with the emotional well being of our children, but have you ever thought of the number of times a military child is moved to a completely new home away from their neighborhoods, churches, schools or family? It is a change calling for emotional and physical adjustment. During the Month of the Military Child in April, special attention is focused on these children. Children learn incredibly early to make new friends and remember friends left behind; and after several moves, they begin to think it is the normal way of life. It is amazing how resilient they are, sometimes more than the adults. During my husband’s military career, each time our furniture arrived and was unloaded, our youngest daughter would search the neighborhood for someone to play with and bring them in to meet the family. It was certainly an icebreaker.

When both parents are in the military and deployed and there are no family members available to take care of the children, this is where the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary step in. The VFW and Auxiliary members sponsor The National Home for Children, which offers caring and healthy homes with lots of love for children whose parents are both deployed.

We have asked our members to collect their change when shopping, turn it in to our Treasurer Bertha Bearden, and at the end of each quarter, we will write a check to the National Home for all monies collected.

About the VFW National

Home for Children

The VFW National Home for Children in Michigan serves as a living memorial to American veterans by helping our nation’s military and veteran families during difficult times. According to its website, the National Home for Children was founded in 1925 as a place where the families left behind by war-mothers and children, brothers and sisters-could remain together, keeping the family circle intact even when their serviceman didn't come home. Today's families face different challenges — reintegration, post-traumatic stress, high unemployment and rehabilitation from battlefield injuries, among others — and the National Home has evolved over its decades-long history to meet those changing needs.

Since its founding, the VFW National Home for Children has grown from an old frame farm house to a sprawling campus with playgrounds, park areas, and multiple buildings, including single-family homes, a community center and gymnasium, child care facility, guest lodge, chapel and administrative offices.

Over the years, the National Home has evolved to meet the changing needs of America’s military and veterans’ families. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: the National Home’s commitment to honor our nation’s veterans and active-duty military by providing help and hope for their children and families.

To make a donation, call 866-483-9642; for help, call 800-313-4200; for information, call 800424-8360 or visit the National Home website. The home’s address is 3573 S. Waverly, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827.