Media Contact: Nicole Burton
502-564-2611
Nicole.Burton@ky.gov
FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 11, 2019) – Gov. Matt Bevin today joined U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox Commander Maj. Gen. John Evans Jr. at Fort Knox's Scott Middle School to proclaim April as the Month of the Military Child in Kentucky.
"We are deeply grateful for our many military children, who exemplify strength, resiliency and sacrifice just like their parents who selflessly serve our nation," said Gov. Bevin. "Kentucky's reputation as the most veteran-friendly state in America continues to grow, and we applaud organizations like the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) that work to help ease transitions for military families.
"Here in the Commonwealth, our communities are joyfully committed to supporting the children of our servicemen and women stationed at Fort Knox and Fort Campbell, as well as those serving in the Kentucky National Guard and Reserves."
The Council of State Governments (CSG), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Defense, created the MIC3 in 2006 to address some of the educational challenges transitioning children of military families face. For the approximately two million military children living in the United States, the MIC3 is essential to addressing key educational transition issues encountered by military families including enrollment, placement, attendance, eligibility and graduation.
"Military kids contribute to the readiness of our Armed Forces every day, just by loving and supporting their parents," said Maj. Gen. Evans. "They are resilient, adaptive, agile, and essential — because they allow their Service Members to perform their duties, they are also brave. America will always be the land of the Free, because it's the home of the Brave."
Military families relocate three times more often than civilian families, approximately every two to three years. Kentucky is committed to creating a supportive network for these children, and passed two significant bills for military children during the 2019 legislative session:
- HB 399 - allows military families transferring on official orders to pre-enroll their children in a school district before they have their new address; and
- HB 356 - allows service members, spouses, or dependents to keep Kentucky residency status for post-secondary education if the service member is enrolled or accepted to a post-secondary school and then receives orders to transfer out of state
“Our service members’ children did not get to choose the military lifestyle, and it can be very difficult for them at times," said retired Col. Blaine Hedges, executive director of Kentucky's Commission on Military Affairs. "Every couple of years they are required to essentially start life over, and in Kentucky we are doing everything we can to make their transition easier.
"Our MIC3 and KCMA team works tirelessly in support of this nation’s unsung heroes and their military families. I encourage all of our military communities, and Kentuckians everywhere, to be welcoming to the military children in our midst."
Former U.S. Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger established April as the Month Of The Military Child in 1986, and the Department of Defense has honored his initiative each year since.
To learn more about the Month of the Military Child, click here.