Sen. Welch, Rep. Nicastro Mark “Month of the Military Child”

Bristol State Sen. Jason Welch (at right) and Bristol State Rep. Frank Nicastro (fourth from left) participate in a flag unveiling ceremony at the State Capitol to mark the Month of the Military Child. The month aims to raise awareness about the important role children play in the Armed Forces community.

On April 14 at the State Capitol, Bristol State Sen. Jason Welch and Bristol State Rep. Frank Nicastro joined the Bristol American Legion Post #2 Color Guard and others in a ceremony to mark April as the Month of the Military Child and to underscore the important role children play in the Armed Forces community.

“By recognizing their sacrifices, we want military children to know that we care about them and will connect them with the resources they need,” said Rep. Nicastro, who serves as vice-chair of the legislature’s Select Committee on Veterans Affairs. “It’s a way of saying thank you.”

“The children of the men and women who serve us in our military make daily sacrifices in supporting America’s armed forces,” said Sen. Welch, who serves as Ranking Member of the Select Committee on Veterans Affairs. “It’s particularly important that we recognize them during these times of conflict.”

Along with the military-related stress of multiple moves and schools, children also have had to deal with long-term, multiple deployments and separations from one, or both, parents over the past 10-plus years.

The legislators noted that Connecticut has a strong circle of support, in which schools, communities, health care providers and government agencies come together to support military families.

Welch represents Bristol, Plainville, Harwinton and Plymouth.