Honoring Military Children with Festival Celebration for Month of the Military Child

Laughter, music, and the smell of popcorn filled the air as the community gathered to celebrate the strength and resilience of children of military families during the USO’s Purple Up MilKids Festival event in honor of Month of the Military Child. Hosted at the East Ft. Bliss USO, the event welcomed families from across Ft. Bliss for a day designed to honor the youngest heroes of service — America’s military kids.

Decked out in purple — the signature color representing all branches of the military — children and families were treated to a day of fun. The event featured various activities tailored just for MilKids, recognizing their courage and adaptability in the face of frequent relocations, deployments, and change.

Parents expressed gratitude for the thoughtful celebration. “People tend to forget about the kids. Moving schools and uprooting their lives every couple of years can be very difficult for them,” said Brittney Barrera, a military spouse whose family is part of the U.S. Army. “These events are important because we get to meet other kids and spouses, and that’s very impactful in a lot of different ways.”

One of the highlights for many was the cupcake decorating station, where kids let their creativity shine with purple frosting, candy, and other fun toppings. Nearby, a coloring station offered a more relaxed space for artistic expression, filled with patriotic-themed coloring pages, bookmarks, and bright markers. Families also flocked to the photo op station, complete with fun props—perfect for capturing memories together.

Throughout the day, a DJ kept the dance floor alive, spinning kid-friendly tunes while children danced and laughed. Cotton candy and popcorn stations added to the festival feel, offering sweet and salty treats that brought smiles to kids’ faces. Outside, families enjoyed a variety of outdoor games and activities. The energy was contagious, and the sense of community was strong.

The event concluded with each child receiving a special USO-branded color-change cup that turns purple to remind them of their strength and their unique role in their families’ service to the nation.