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Courtesy of American Bible Society
April 15 is Purple Up! For Military Kids Day, when Americans are encouraged to wear purple to show support for Military children and thank them for their strength and sacrifices. But it’s important to remember that our Christian mission can last far longer than a single day.
More than two million children in the U.S. today have had a parent deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. At least 19,000 of them have had a parent wounded in action. More than 2,000 have lost a parent to war, and an untold number live with parents with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Courtesy of Gordon Groseclose
Roughly a third of active-duty U.S. Military members are currently serving outside of the United States, meaning that hundreds of thousands of Service members and their families will be apart from their loved ones this holiday season. As a former Military chaplain and a trauma healing specialist, we have seen firsthand the difference Scripture can make for Service members, Veterans, Military spouses, and Military children struggling to maintain healthy relationships with God and one another.
This December, millions of Americans will read and celebrate the story of Jesus s birth and experience the peace and hope that comes from this Scripture. But oftentimes for Service members, Veterans, and Military families, the holidays bring feelings of grief, social isolation, depression, loneliness, and anxiety. This is why, this holiday season, we have to consider not just the Bible’s stories of celebration, but also its stories of healing and comfort – an
The American Bible Society s Armed Services Ministry is sending out Hero Squad boxes to children whose parents are serving in the military to bring hope and encouragement during the holidays. | American Bible Society
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are struggling with discouragement, loneliness, and isolation, especially during the holiday season.
But for military families, this is especially true. Due to soldiers deployment, many military families will be spending the holidays apart this year. And on top of that, with COVID-19 restrictions, holiday travel to see extended family isn’t an option for many families.
“Military life is hard; people often feel very alone,” Lisa Winbolt, a chaplain’s wife and homeschooling mother-of-four, told The Christian Post. “Our friends are constantly moving, we’re constantly moving, and then not having the stability of family brings it to another level. We’re already separated from family, but with the pandemic, we�