City leaders proclaim April 15 "Purple Up" Day to honor military children

City of Hopkinsville leaders used an early meeting start to read a proclamation honoring the Month of the Military Child and designating April 15 as "Purple Up" Day.

A meeting host said military children are uniquely affected by parents' service, noting that they "don't have a choice" about frequent moves and that communities should help ensure credits from other states are honored. A presenter then read the proclamation text, saying, "Whereas the color purple represents our military families who serve right along with their soldiers, airmen, sailors, marines, guardians, coast guard, heroes every day in Kentucky and around the world."

The proclamation cites statewide figures: "approximately 45,000 active duty national guard and reserve personnel serve in Kentucky and over 40,000 Kentucky students have a military connection," and it describes education challenges military families face, including enrollment, eligibility, credit transfer and graduation interruptions. A different presenter continued, asserting that "taking care of the military child sustains our fighting forces, strengthening and safety and security of our families and communities."

The document names James R Knight Junior, mayor of Hopkinsville; Jerry Geller, judge executive; and Jackie Oliver, mayor of Oak Grove as signatories to the proclamation. Officials thanked several military officers in attendance — identified in the reading as Colonel Porter, Colonel Stone and Sergeant Baker Jeffers — and acknowledged the assistant superintendent, Dr. Wilson, along with public school representatives.

The host invited military families forward for a photograph and led the group in saying "Purple up" before the picture.

The proclamation is ceremonial; no formal vote or motion was recorded during the reading. The meeting proceeded after the photo opportunity.