HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. - To celebrate the Month of the Military Child, the 2026 Purple Palooza will be held April 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Minuteman Commons here.
Established in 1986, April is recognized as the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize and honor more than 1.6 million children of service members for their daily sacrifices and unique challenges.
“It’s an opportunity for us to highlight, showcase and celebrate our military kids,” said Dr. Taylor Chamberlain, chief of Child and Youth Services.
Military children serve alongside their parents, navigating moves, new schools and deployments with incredible resilience.
“Having military children ourselves, it was something we were very passionate about,” said Chamberlain.
The month typically features community events, school activities and Purple Up! Days to show support.
Purple Up! Day was initiated by the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Military Youth and Family Program in 2011.
Purple represents all service branches because it blends each branch’s color: the Army’s green, the Air Force, Navy, Space Force, and Coast Guard’s blue, and the Marines’ red. Everyone is encouraged to wear purple to show support for military members and their children, whether they are active-duty Soldiers, reservists, National Guardsmen or veterans.
Purple Palooza is Hanscom AFB’s version of a Purple Up! Day and will feature a variety of kid-friendly activities, such as arts and crafts, cookie decorating and a touch-a-truck station.
Some activities will align with Force Support Squadron functions and missions to give children insight into what their military parents do.
“This year’s goal is to expand what we did last year and include a bit more military connectedness,” said Ashley Babatov, 66 FSS digital content specialist. “For example, the Military Personnel Flight will be doing a mini-mobilization for kids. They will come in, get issued an ‘ID card’ and receive ‘orders’ to deploy to Purple Palooza.”
Volunteers are still needed to help with set up and tear down and to staff various stations during the event.
“We’re looking forward to a great turnout,” said Babatov. “Be sure to wear your purple.”
Those interested in volunteering should contact Tech. Sgt. Kaylah Salita at kaylah_marie.salita.2@us.af.mil and provide their name and contact information.