WHEREAS, the strength of our Armed Forces comes from our brave service members and their families, who serve on behalf of our great nation; and
WHEREAS, military children face unique challenges such as changes of station, parent deployments, caring for wounded parents, or coping with the ultimate loss of fallen parents; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina is dedicated to further strengthening our state's longstanding relationship with the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security, in part by providing the unique support and active outreach that our state’s military communities and families need; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs manages and maintains the North Carolina Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans in appreciation for the service and sacrifices of North Carolina war veterans; and
WHEREAS, the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS program is expanding in North Carolina to help military families pay for high-quality child care, providing military children a strong foundation to learn and thrive while allowing service members to do their jobs; and
WHEREAS, the Month of the Military Child presents an opportunity to recommit to providing our military communities with the necessary resources to support public education, strengthen essential infrastructure, and address the needs of the over 50,000 military children in North Carolina whose parent or guardian serves our nation as a member of the Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina encourages our communities, local and state government leaders, private organizations, and businesses to join in commending the children and youth of military families for their exceptional devotion to their loved ones serving as members of the Armed Forces;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim April, 2023, as “MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.