LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A "Purple Up Parade" occurred outside of the Roberto "Bobby" Barrera (RBB) Elementary School here on April 17, 2024.
This parade was held in celebration of Purple Up Day, a day dedicated to showing support and appreciation for military children. Students from the Roberto “Bobby” Barrera Elementary School walked during the parade as staff and parents clapped and cheered along the route.
"The Purple Up Parade at RBB was created as a way to say 'thank you' to students for their roles as military children," said Jeanette Gomez, Roberto "Bobby" Barrera School liaison program manager. "This parade aims to support them by letting them know they are appreciated, seen and supported in their everyday life."
Students, staff and supporting parents were encouraged to wear the color purple as a visible gesture of support for military kids and their families.
"The color purple represents the combined colors of all branches of the military: Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red and Navy blue," said Gomez. "Wearing purple is a way to recognize and honor the sacrifices and resilience of military children who face unique challenges due to their parents' military service."
Purple Up Day is celebrated in schools, communities and military installations to raise awareness and show solidarity with military families.
"The life of a military child is not easy," said Aurora Guerra, Roberto "Bobby" Barrera Elementary School principal. "It's important that we thank them for being flexible and brave enough to join new communities, honor them for being loving enough to build friendships and make memories wherever they go, and admire them for being strong enough to see their parents go off to training or deployments."
As the Month of the Military Child progresses through April, Laughlin continues its efforts to recognize the children of its military service members.