Weatherly recognizes military kids at Purple Up!

Before his cousin enlisted in the Navy, Weatherly seventh-grader Mason Claypoole didn’t give much thought to the military.

But after he saw the pride which his cousin’s service brought out in himself and family members, Claypoole says he can see himself enlisting someday.

“It makes me feel proud that someone in my family can serve the country,” Claypoole said.

An annual event at the Weatherly schools put military families in the spotlight Monday morning.

Purple Up! For Military Kids recognized Weatherly students who have a loved one serving in the military. Speakers also encouraged students to think of their peers across the country whose military parents can’t attend important events in their life.

“It’s often overlooked the sacrifice that family members make who are left behind. Missing holidays, birthdays, sporting events and school events is very hard on military members and their families,” said teacher Ryan Kately.

American Legion Post 360 in Weatherly’s ladies auxiliary organized the event. For them, Purple Up day is more than just an observance. It is their everyday life.

Georgann Herling, the president of the auxiliary, talked about the hardships her grandchildren face by having a father who has served three tours in the Middle East.

“When my son returned from his third tour in the Middle East, and he had to go back to his duty station, his oldest son asked, ‘Daddy, are you coming home tonight?’ ” she said. “People don’t realize how hard it is on the military families.”

Scheduled guest speakers for the event were Carbon County Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard and Weatherly Mayor Tom Connors.

Gerhard’s wife, Sueann, spoke on his behalf.

She told a story of a military daughter who was waiting for her father’s unit to get off the plane when she saw a soldier with no one to greet him. The girl decided she would be the one to thank the man for his service.

“Somehow this young girl just understood there was something going on there that was special and extraordinary. She wanted to be a part of it,” Gerhard said. “It wasn’t just about her or her family, but about the military family.”

Connors said he was scheduled to deliver a proclamation to honor the day. However, he decided rather than reading a long list of ‘whereas’ clauses, he would just express the sentiment directly. It’s the 12th year that Connors has addressed the event.

“What I think is more important so that we come together as a community and we always say ‘we are here for you,’ ” Connors said.

Members of the Post 360 Auxiliary signified the day with a ceremony to honor military children. In the first part, a potted plant symbolized that military children flourish wherever planted. A garden spade recognized they could be transplanted at a moment’s notice.

In the second part, a birthday hat and candles, a baseball and glove, and ballet slippers symbolized the special occasions that military members are forced to miss.

In the final part, a photo of a military family and an American flag represented that their family is the foundation of the country’s strength, willing to make any sacrifice to make sure the flag flies free.

The auxiliary gave a certificate and a souvenir to each child who has a loved one serving overseas. About 20 children walked up before the crowd to accept their awards.

Kindergartner Aidan Gowen proudly told the auxiliary members about his late great-grandfather’s military service.

Even though he never met him, Gowen said he feels pride in his relative’s service.

“It makes me proud because he was saving everybody. He had a lot of jobs,” Gowen said.