Craig County Students Show Support For Military Kids

Craig County 4-H Teen Officers participated in the 2012 "Purple Up! For Military Kids" Awareness Day on April 13. It's part of the nation's Month of the Military Child that honors youth impacted by deployment.

Teen officers dressed in purple, the color that symbolizes all branches of the military as it combines Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red and Navy blue

The 4-H group wanted to show children and their families how much their sacrifice is appreciated, according to Pat McNally, director of the Oklahoma 4-H Operation: Military Kids.

"Through this effort we encourage groups, organizations and individuals all across Oklahoma to wear purple as a visible way to support and thank military families," McNally said.

Teens with Craig County 4-H visited local schools to give military sons and daughters "Purple Up" ribbons.

Craig County kids also visited several area businesses where the employees wore purple for the special occasion, including the Vinita Walmart, Clanton's Café, First National Bank of Vinita, Oklahoma State Bank of Vinita, Route 66 Machine Works, the Vinita Public Schools Board of Education, the VA Outpatient Clinic, El Vallarta Mexican Restaurant and Craig Neff's Route 66 Machine Works.

Some of the participating businesses made donations in cash or services to help with the effort.

'Purple Up' For Military Kids

Craig County 4-H Teen officers include Tim Taylor, Cory Johnson, Ben Pitts, Savannah Chuckluck, Jamin Chuckluck, Megan Woodward, Laura Wood, Damin Chuckluck, Steven Stecklein, Hannah Stecklein and Hannah Stephens.

Bluejacket Elementary School also participated in the salute to children of service men and women.

Bluejacket Students Go Purple