Blue Star Welcome Week

WHEREAS, Blue Star Families seeks to empower military families by connecting them with their neighbors, individuals and organizations to foster vibrant communities of mutual support; and

WHEREAS, we recognize the 600,000 active-duty and transitioning military families who move to new communities each year and nearly half of these permanent change of station (PCS) moves occur during the summer; and

WHEREAS , roughly 33 percent of military family respondents to the 2022 Military Family Lifestyle Survey reported that they feel a sense of belonging to their local civilian community, which is essential to the well-being and readiness of military families; and

WHEREAS, we are committed to ensuring that military and Veteran connected families feel a strong sense of belonging to their local civilian communities and express gratitude for the sacrifices made by service members, transitioning Veterans and their families; and

WHEREAS, there are 20,757 Active Duty Service members and 1,090 Blue Star Family members living in Alaska and we urge all Alaskans to welcome military and Veteran connected families into their communities.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim September 22-28, 2024 as:

Blue Star Welcome Week

in Alaska and encourage all Alaskans to support and help our military families feel welcome in our communities and in our Great State, and to recognize the sacrifices they have made.

Dated: September 22, 2024