Blue Star Welcome Week 2026

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

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

WHEREAS, only 40 percent of military family respondents to the 2025 Military Family Lifestyle Survey indicated 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 express our gratitude for the sacrifices made by service members, transitioning Veterans and their families by working to ensure that military and Veteran connected families experience a strong sense of belonging to their local civilian communities; and

WHEREAS, there are 20,671 Active-Duty Service members and the many Blue Star Family members residing 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 26 - October 4, 2026 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 honor the sacrifices they have made.

Dated: September 26, 2026