09-04-2025
BDS honors families for Month of the Military Child
BAY COUNTY, Fla (WMBB) — Bay District Schools recognized several members of the communities for their efforts in military families.
They celebrated Purple Up Day, giving out commemorations for local military families.
'We want to provide them the supports that they need to help them as they're coming here to attend or the Navy base to support our military and and help those families succeed and have a great time when they're here and have an incredible education experience.' Bay District superintendent Mark Mcqueen said.
The board highlighted the Wheatley family and their sacrifice as husband, dad, and staff sergeant Andrew Wheatley serves overseas. He has been deployed 5 times in his career.
McQueen was a military child himself and served in the army for 39 years.
'You're having to uproot and move all the time, you don't have the same house you're always in. You don't have the same friends, you don't go to the same schools, you're in different countries I mean, there's so many variables that our young military families are having to face' McQueen said.
The board also recognized local military leaders from Tyndall AFB and NSA Panama City.
Commander Michael Mosi said it is comforting to see Bay District welcome his own children with open arms.
'They're forming bonds that are a little deeper than they used to be when they were younger. And so coming here and seeing that that level of cohesion, a level of integration is not taken for granted but deliberately acted upon has given me great relief.' Mosi said.
The district will hold another Purple Up Day on April 15th and are asking everyone in the community to wear purple to honor military families and children.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
