A special celebration called Teal Up Day was held at Guthrie School in Sturgeon County, north of Edmonton, to honor military children and the challenges they face. The children of parents who serve in the military often have to deal with deployments and long periods of separation from their families. The day included fun events such as a pancake breakfast, hotdog lunch, military vehicles display, weapons display, and a helicopter landing in the school’s field. The goal of the event was to give the children a day of fun and to help them understand and appreciate the work their parents do. The school has a strong military family presence, and events like Teal Up Day are important for the children to feel appreciated and supported.
Grade 7 student Christian Pickell shared his experience of being a military child. He has moved multiple times due to his father being an armoured soldier in the military. While the experience of moving and experiencing new places can be exciting, Pickell also highlighted the difficulty of leaving behind friends and family members in each new location. He emphasized the importance of events like Teal Up Day in showing appreciation and love towards military children, who he described as brave and resilient. Pickell expressed gratitude for the friendships he has made in Edmonton and the support he receives from the military community.
Grade 9 student Londyn Hodgson, whose father is a door gunner in the Air Force, also shared her experience as a military child. She discussed the challenges of having a parent who is often away for important events and the importance of staying connected with her father through technology. Hodgson has been at Guthrie School for six years and appreciates the strong sense of community among students who have parents in the military. There are approximately 81,000 military children across Canada who face unique challenges such as deployments, relocations, and transitions. The Edmonton Military Family Resource Centre provides programs and services to support these families through the difficulties of military life.
Amber Gagnon, from the Edmonton Military Family Resource Centre, emphasized the importance of connection for military children who are constantly relocating and trying to adapt to new environments. She highlighted the unique challenges that military children face, such as having parents who are often away on deployments or work-related absences. Gagnon stressed the importance of supporting and showing love to military children, as their parents serve the country. The centre offers programs and services to assist military families in dealing with the challenges of military life, including ways to help children connect, make new friends, and adjust to new experiences.
Events like Teal Up Day at Guthrie School play a crucial role in recognizing and supporting military children for their resilience and bravery in facing the challenges of military life. The day of fun activities and appreciation helps the children feel valued and loved for the sacrifices they make as part of a military family. By bringing together military children and providing them with a supportive community, events like Teal Up Day create a sense of belonging and understanding among children who share similar experiences. Moving frequently and having parents who are often away can be difficult for military children, but events like these help them feel appreciated and celebrated for their strength and courage. Through support from organizations like the Edmonton Military Family Resource Centre, military children are given the resources and assistance needed to navigate the unique challenges they face as part of a military family.
