KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The sound of laughter and the shimmer of thousands of bubbles filled the air at Sandia Base Elementary School as Team Kirtland kicked off a series of events for the Month of the Military Child on April 10.
April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize the unique sacrifices and "resiliency" of the youngest members of the military community. To celebrate, school faculty and members of the Kirtland community organized a "Purple Up" celebration, featuring a high-energy bubble parade and a military working dog demonstration.
For the educators at Sandia Base Elementary, the event is more than just a morning of fun; it is a vital acknowledgment of the emotional hurdles many students face.
“It’s important because you see marked changes in their behaviors when their parents leave,” said Mary Salazar, Sandia Base Elementary School principal. “You see the anxiety, so to have that recognized and validated is very important for them.”
Following the bubble parade, the excitement moved to the field as handlers from the 377th Security Forces Squadron conducted a military working dog demonstration. Students watched as the K-9 teams showcased their obedience and tactical skills, providing the children with a firsthand look at the capabilities of the Airmen who protect
the base every day.
The event was spearheaded by the school’s PTA, aimed at showing military children that their community stands behind them.
"We’re doing this event as a way of giving back to kids that give us so much and a lifestyle that is sometimes challenging," said April Prim, a Sandia Base Elementary PTA board member. "This is an opportunity to give them something back and celebrate all of the things that they do for our families."
The surprise nature of the morning’s festivities provided an immediate morale boost for the students, many of whom arrived at school expecting a standard Friday.
"One of the little kids that was getting off of a bus today shouted, 'Well, this is a surprise!'" Prim said. "Things like that, where we can catch the kids off guard and really just show them we’re here for you—that makes it worth it."
Throughout the remainder of April, Kirtland AFB will continue to host events honoring the bravery and adaptability of military children across the installation.