In military terms the color purple stands for all of the colors of the services combined. That is why the color is used to symbolize the children of military families and during April the Military Child is celebrated.

April 15 is known as Purple Up Day and is marked throughout the U.S. and on military bases to world to celebrate the sacrifices made by children whose relatives serve in the military.The ladies of Auxiliary Unit 360 in Weatherly led by Unit President Georgann Herling arranged for the assembly held on Wednesday in the gymnasium of the Weatherly Area Elementary School. The ladies assisted a number of elementary aged children, all of whom had family members in service to the country, in presenting "A Military Child's Table."Herling said the table is set with flowers to symbolize that in military families children are often transplanted from one location to another as the parent is moved from one post to another. A spade was added as a symbol that the child is often required to immerse themselves in a new culture as a result of a move.A birthday hat and candles were to symbolize that the service member is often not present to celebrate the child's birthdays, and a baseball glove and ballet slippers stood for all of the special events that are missed in a child's life.A family photo also adorned the table, a symbol that the family is the foundation of the country's strength and the American flag was added, standing for the sacrifices at home and abroad.The auxiliary honored 38 children during the assembly.Tyler Breznitsky of U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta's office, 11th District, read a letter from the congressman to those in attendance. In his letter, Barletta thanked the American Legion and its Auxiliary for making it their duty to serve military families and veterans. He told the children being honored that their sacrifices do not go unnoticed.Carbon County Commissioner and proud military uncle Thomas J. Gerhard told those assembled about his nephew Thomas Superdock, a Weatherly Area High School graduate who is currently serving aboard the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean Sea."Tommy has served for 14 years and he is a perfect example of our service men and women, who fight and sacrifice so we can be free," Gerhard said. "His wife, Katie, and their three sons, ages 11, 9 and 1 and a half, are at home in Newport News, Virginia. They know a little bit about this. Every day should be Purple Up Day."Mayor Tom Connors proclaimed April 15 "Purple Up Military Child's Day" in Weatherly."We want our service people to know," Connors said. "That while they are serving, we are taking care of their children."All of the children honored received a certificate and a gift bag compliments of the Auxiliary Unit 360.The children honored were:Kindergarten: Brandon Antolick, Trinity Spence and John ThomasFirst grade: Jacob Walton and Edward FeilingSecond grade: Jake Strizak, Shane Hoffman and Chance StaufferThird grade: Jasmine BresnakFourth grade: Joshua Donish and Mekena EubanksFifth grade: Jaelyn Curtis-Zumar, Nathan Neidlinger, Tim Keck, Jack James, Tra Arner, Mason Claypoole, Leland Kunkle, Alexander Ortiz and Sebastian WilliamsSixth grade: John Sparacino, Adrian Sparacino, Jayden Eubanks and Zachary DaviesSeventh grade: Zachary Bresnak and Jessica MoserEighth grade: Trusten Dempsey, Shane KuzmaHigh school: Abigail, Gabby and Ali Hernandez, Hailey Coxe, Zack Kalinowski, Keith Cullen, Felicia Fisher, Samantha DeSpirito and Anthony Oross.Two high school students are enlisted and were honored as well: Breena Coxe and Dylan Bresnak are in the Army.