News
News Release
Purple Day in PA: Veterans Resource Central Announces Statewide Salute to Military Families Oct. 14
HARRISBURG, Sept 21, 2006 — Veterans Resource Central (VRC), a Harrisburg-based non-profit group, today announced that “Purple Day in PA,” a statewide salute to military families, is planned for Saturday, Oct. 14. The organization will observe the event, which was officially designated by a Pennsylvania Senate resolution passed this summer, with a ceremony at 10 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg.
"As an organization dedicated to providing support to military families, we are so pleased our state senators have formally designated a day to recognize them," said John Carrigan, VRC president. "As the men and women serving away from home are in our hearts and minds, so too must be their mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives."
"We invite Pennsylvania’s military families to gather for this day of recognition. More importantly, we encourage Pennsylvania’s citizens to join us in expressing gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices of these families."
The recognition event’s signature color, purple, is used by the U.S. military as a visual symbol representing all its branches. Military families across the Commonwealth, and those who wish to acknowledge them, are encouraged to take part.
Carrigan noted that families of deployed service men and women, often overlooked, cope with significant changes and unique challenges in their lives. Deployments are long and stressful for families, comparable to a marathon — over time, families can wear down and caregivers can become exhausted. Awareness among civic organizations, and their support, is critical to help military families endure through these long, difficult and recurring stretches of time. VRC’s Family Center, for example, offers a variety of resources including childcare, legal and financial services to help military families maintain their households while loved ones are away.
The ceremony at the State Capitol will include a keynote address by Major General Robert P. French, Deputy Commander of Joint Force Headquarters, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, and presentation of the proclamation by Pennsylvania Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola.
For more information on Purple Day in PA: A Statewide Salute to Military
Families, call VRC at (717) 221-1360 or visit www.veteransresourcecentral.org.
About Veterans Resource Central
Veterans Resource Central (VRC) is the leading organization for family
support, career counseling, job placement assistance and business networking
for returning veterans in Pennsylvania. VRC is a Harrisburg-based, non-profit
group whose primary mission is to provide career counseling and job placement
assistance to returning veterans as well assistance to deployed families.
The organization strives to serve Pennsylvania veterans from all military
branches. For more information on how to join, volunteer, or donate to
the VRC call (717) 221-1360 or www.veteransresourcecentral.org.
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Contact:Jason S. Kirsch, APR
Commerce Bank on behalf of VRC
(717) 412-6200
jason.kirsch@commercepc.com