Students from Sullivans Elementary and Yokosuka Primary schools march to celebrate the Month of the Military Child at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, April 22, 2026. (Jonathan Baez/Stars and Stripes)
YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — Students at the U.S. 7th Fleet’s home south of Tokyo recently held their first off-campus parade to honor children of U.S. service members.
The April 22 event, organized as part of the Month of the Military Child, featured students marching along a milelong route from Sullivans Elementary School to Berkey Field and back through the base.
The streets were filled with chants of “I am a military child” as students, family members, school staff and community members gathered to show support.
Students, faculty and staff from Sullivans Elementary and Yokosuka Primary schools march to celebrate the Month of the Military Child at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, April 22, 2026. (Jonathan Baez/Stars and Stripes)
Students, faculty and staff from Sullivans Elementary and Yokosuka Primary schools march to celebrate the Month of the Military Child at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, April 22, 2026. (Jonathan Baez/Stars and Stripes)
Family members cheer on students from Sullivans Elementary and Yokosuka Primary as they march to celebrate the Month of the Military Child at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, April 22, 2026. (Jonathan Baez/Stars and Stripes)
Students from Sullivans Elementary and Yokosuka Primary schools march to celebrate the Month of the Military Child at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, April 22, 2026. (Jonathan Baez/Stars and Stripes)
Students from Sullivans Elementary and Yokosuka Primary schools celebrate the Month of the Military Child at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, April 22, 2026. (Jonathan Baez/Stars and Stripes)
Organizers from Sullivans Elementary and Yokosuka Primary School said they hope the parade will become an annual tradition recognizing the resilience and contributions of military children.
April is designated as the Month of the Military Child by the U.S. military and highlights the role children play in supporting service members and adapting to the demands of military life.
