Municipal Mayor Jeff Fawcett proclaimed April as Teal Up – Month of the Military Child in the City of Brandon, alongside a contingent from CFB Shilo, including Base Commander Lieutenant-Colonel J.P. Nguyen, and staff, at the Military Family Resource Centre on April 9. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)
K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media
The City of Brandon is honoured to TEAL UP and recognize April as the Month of the Military Child during its fifth anniversary, with a flag raising and an official proclamation by Mayor Jeff Fawcett at City Hall on April 9.
Mayor Fawcett told Shilo Stag News that it is the city’s responsibility to create opportunities for all children, including military youth, to grow and thrive. More than 81,000 youth from Canadian military families experience parental absences due to Canadian Armed Forces service each year, affecting more than 10,000 military families who relocate nationwide annually.
“They have a different life experience from other children and youth, so it’s important to make sure that you recognize and get these young students engaged in your community as early as you can.”
The Teal Up flag-raising at City Hall is seen as a way to include military children in the community and support them through their parents’ military service, he said.
With the CFB Shilo Army Base, a direct neighbour to the City of Brandon, he stressed the importance of military children feeling that their time in the city is meaningful and helps them grow as individuals.
“The experience of military children in Brandon can help them adapt to new environments when they move, as they learn to grow roots wherever they are … often it is out of necessity,” he said, addressing some of the challenges military children face, such as having parents deploy, constant relocation, making new friends, becoming part of a new community, and trying to fit in – all while being part of the Army’s “operational readiness.”
Both Mayor Fawcett and CFB Shilo Base Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Jack Nguyen stressed at the flag- raising and municipal proclamation that children are not asked for their participation in a military family environment; they are often born into it.
“It’s not their choice, so we need them to know they are valued for their contribution and supported in all of their efforts.”
Mayor Fawcett said he has seen firsthand the resiliency and adaptability of military children with his own niece and nephew, who grew up in a military home and are now contributing members of the Brandon community.
“I believe that military children’s experiences can help others in the community feel more comfortable and adapt to different situations,” he said.
He is “impressed” that the Teal Up movement to celebrate the strength and versatility of military children, known as Dandelions, sprouted on home-grown soil in the Brandon area. He said he is “so proud” that Brandon supports the children of the Canadian Armed Forces and can make the proclamation about TEAL UP.
“It is our responsibility as a city, as a military city, to make sure that we’re creating an opportunity to raise all the children that are in our school divisions the best we can. It truly takes a village. So, let’s all Teal Up in April.”
Municipal Mayor Jeff Fawcett raised the Teal Up flag outside City Hall alongside representatives from CFB Shilo, including Base Commander Lieutenant-Colonel J.P. Nguyen, and staff from the Military Family Resource Centre on April 9. The flag raising was in recognition of TEAL UP – Month of the Military Child. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)
