Teal Up Day celebrates military kids
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Students at CFB Shilo and in Brandon wore teal shirts Monday as part of “Teal Up for Military Kids.”
École O’Kelly School principal Brent Tocher said the day is about acknowledging the unique experiences military children face.
“It’s a program to support military students and military families and let them know that we recognize some of the challenges they face,” Tocher said. “The challenges include frequent relocations, parental deployments and the uncertainty that can come with military life.”
Sgt. Dillon Saunders (left) and Bombardier Hunter Legrand (right) with 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery show kids around an armoured combat support vehicle during the Teal Up Day Walk of Champions at CFB Shilo on Monday afternoon. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Tocher said that those realities can make it difficult for students to build lasting friendships or feel settled. At the same time, they often develop strong adaptability and resilience, he said.
“On the flip side, they learn how to integrate and make new friends, but it’s still challenging,” he said. “There’s also stress and concern when parents are away on training or deployed overseas, which changes the dynamic at home.”
The afternoon’s activities in Shilo included a Walk of Champions, followed by a community barbecue.
The observance extended beyond Shilo into Brandon classrooms. At George Fitton and Green Acres schools, students joined the “Teal Up” community challenge by wearing teal shirts in support of their peers from military families.
Within the Brandon School Division, the initiative is tied to broader efforts during April to recognize military children.
Tocher said events at École O’Kelly included presentations from the Military Family Resource Centre in the days leading up to Monday’s activities, as well as a symbolic ribbon display placed along the school fence. The day itself focused on visible support, with as many students and staff as possible wearing teal.
“I think it’s important for all kids to be seen and heard and to know people understand what their life is like,” he said. “It brings everybody together.”
Pte. Notorious McDonald-Storin (second from left) with 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry lets Simon Rudin hold a C6 machine gun during Monday's event. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Teal Up Day has expanded since its launch and is now observed in more than 40 communities across Canada.
The campaign, which began in Shilo in 2021, is marked on the last Monday of April to highlight the Month of the Military Child. Inspired by the U.S. “Purple Up” tradition, the Canadian version uses teal — a blend of colours representing the Army, Air Force and Navy — to symbolize unity across military branches.
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